title: A low-pressure portable anaesthesia system for field use: clinical trials.
abstract: This is a report of our experience with a portable anaesthesia system that was developed for use under field conditions, when compressed gas supplies are limited. We first assembled and bench-tested a low-pressure plenum system, based upon the Farman entrainer. The entrainer required a low flow of compressed gas, O2 at 1-2 L.min-1, and generated a low-pressure mixture of O2 and air which was directed through an Oxford miniature vaporizer, a non-return valve, and a widebore T-piece circuit. With this system we anaesthetized 24 patients with intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) and nine patients breathing spontaneously. During IPPV, the circuit resembled a T-piece and provided effective gas exchange with a FGF of 1.2 times minute ventilation. Inspiratory and expiratory valves were arranged so that the spontaneous mode was non-rebreathing, and FGF was adjusted to equal minute ventilation. The system was very economical, using 1-2 L.min-1 O2 and 20-25 ml.hr-1 liquid halothane to produce a FGF of 6-10 L.min-1, an FIO2 of 0.33, and FIhal of 1-1.5 per cent. We have demonstrated that this is a versatile, safe, and economical system, compatible with the practice of modern inhalational anaesthesia under field conditions. It can be readily assembled from commercially available components.
authors: Department of Anaesthesia, University of Western, Ontario, London, Canada.
authors: W A
authors: WA
authors: Tweed
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Amatya
authors: W E
authors: WE
authors: Spoerel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000770:Anesthesia, Endotracheal / Q000295:instrumentation; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006221:Halothane / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D010100:Oxygen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration; D011312:Pressure; D012119:Respiration; D012212:Rheology; D013147:Spirometry; D013990:Tidal Volume; D012122:Ventilators, Mechanical
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen; D006221:Halothane