Anaesthetic carrier gases. Their effect on middle-ear pressure peri-operatively.
The effects of three different anaesthetic carrier gases on middle-ear pressure in the operative and postoperative periods was assessed. Patients receiving oxygen and oxygen-enriched air did not have significant changes in middle-ear pressure. The changes associated with the use of nitrous oxide as the carrier gas were reversed with return of pharyngeal reflexes or after prolonged inhalation of 100% oxygen. In patients undergoing middle-ear surgery or those with pre-existing middle-ear disease, we suggest that oxygen-enriched air is the anaesthetic carrier gas of choice.
D000328:Adult; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011312:Pressure; D011897:Random Allocation
D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D010100:Oxygen