title: Preoxygenation--the importance of a good face mask seal.
abstract: We have studied 16 healthy volunteers whose lungs were preoxygenated six times each in order to assess the amount of room air entrained during tidal volume preoxygenation if a good seal is not maintained between the face mask and the face. With a fresh gas flow of 10 litre min-1, we found that using gravity alone to hold the face mask in position, more than 20% room air was entrained; if the face mask was held adjacent to the face, more than 40% room air was entrained.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Whiston Hospital, Merseyside.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McGowan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Skinner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000388:Air; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008397:Masks; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000502:physiology; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D011300:Preoperative Care
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen