The current practice of endobronchial intubation.

A study of the current usage of endobronchial intubation in thoracic anaesthesia was made following the distribution of questionnaires to fifty thoracic units in the United Kingdom. From the 144 replies received from forty-eight units, it is clear that single-lumen endobronchial tubes and blockers are never used by a majority of anaesthetists. The use of the double-lumen tube is almost routine for all types of surgery, the Tobertshaw tube being the most frequent choice. Included in the discussion, is a brief review of the development of endobronchial intubation, illustrating the probable influential factors.