During one-lung ventilation, the nonventilated lung is excluded from the ventilation, with all tidal volume directed into the ventilated lung. This technique facilitates viewing of intrathoracic structures, thereby providing optimal surgical conditions. However, this procedure has been associated with reduced arterial oxygen tension, principally in patients with a previous history of lung disease, since it reduces the surface area available for gas exchange and causes a loss of normal autonomic respiratory regulation. Therefore, maintaining sufficient oxygenation and elimination of carbon dioxide is the greatest challenge in the management of the one-lung ventilation. It is recommend that the tidal volume administrated to the ventilated lung be similar to that used during conventional mechanical ventilation and that high fractions of inspired oxygen be used. However, several alternative methods have been proposed in order to minimize hypoxemia during one-lung ventilation, including the correct positioning of the double-lumen tube, the use of positive end-expiratory pressure or continuous positive airway pressure, nitric oxide administration, and alveolar recruitment. The management of one-lung ventilation continues to be a challenge in clinical practice.

Keywords: tidal volume, hypoxemia, ventilatory management, mechanical ventilation