title: A tube in the pharynx for emergency ventilation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  If the endotracheal placement of a nasal advanced tube fails, ventilation via this tube could bridge the time until a fibreoptic bronchoscope is available. This study investigates the efficiency of ventilation via a tube resting with its tip in the pharynx near the glottis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 20 patients respiratory data during ventilation via a pharyngeally placed tube were recorded by means of pulse oximetry, capnometry and side-stream spirometry. Results were compared with those measured previously in the same patients during conventional facemask ventilation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Oxygen saturation and end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration remained unchanged using ventilation via facemask (SO2 98.5 +/- 0.9%, FECO2 4.5 +/- 0.7 vol%) or pharyngeal tube (SO2 98.6 +/- 0.7%, FECO2 4.8 +/- 0.4 vol%). No significant differences were found between the two groups with regard to peak airway pressure, tidal volume leakage, compliance and resistance of the respiratory system.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest an effective ventilation and oxygenation via a tube placed with its tip in the pharynx. This technique may be helpful during difficult and prolonged nasal intubation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, Hannover Medical School, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bund
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Walz
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lobbes
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Seitz
mesh_terms: D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D010614:Pharynx; D012119:Respiration