title: The parallel Lack anaesthetic breathing system.
abstract: The parallel Lack system is a new modification of the Mapleson A system comprising separate inspiratory and expiratory tubes. To determine that the function of the system was that anticipated of a Mapleson A, the fresh gas flow requirements to prevent rebreathing during spontaneous ventilation were assessed in three situations: (1) a lung model (2) conscious volunteers and (3) anaesthetised patients. Two sets of criteria to define rebreathing were used; (A) those based on changes in ventilation or end-expired carbon dioxide tension and (B) minimum inspired carbon dioxide tension. Using A, rebreathing occurred at a fresh gas flow to minute ventilation ratio (VF/VE) of 0.75 for the lung model, and 0.73 for conscious volunteers. These results were comparable to those obtained for a Magill attachment. They were also close to the point at which mechanical dead space began to increase in the lung model. Criteria B gave much lower values for the onset of rebreathing. Rebreathing was present by criteria A in five of the six anaesthetised patients at a fresh gas flow of 60 ml.kg-1.min-1 (VF/VF of 0.78). The results confirm that the parallel Lack behaves as a Mapleson A system. The resistance to breathing posed by the parallel Lack was also comparable to the Magill system.
authors.affiliation: Magill Department of Anaesthetics, Westminister Hospital, London.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ooi
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lack
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Soni
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Whittle
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pattison
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D012119:Respiration / Q000502:physiology*; D012126:Respiratory Dead Space
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide