title: Anaesthetic breathing systems in the accident and emergency department.
abstract: We report two cases where patients with an acute head injury developed hypercapnia as a result of the inappropriate use of the Magill breathing circuit. The Magill circuit is inefficient when used for controlled ventilation because the patient is ventilated with his own expired gas and develops hypercapnia. The suitability of alternative breathing systems are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Anaesthetic Department, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: McNeill
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Patey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D006935:Hypercapnia / Q000209:etiology*; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D010313:Partial Pressure; D012122:Ventilators, Mechanical / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide