Experiments on puppies were carried out during bronchoscopy to ascertain how the principle of intermittent inflation using a high-pressure gas source via a needle in the lumen of the bronchoscope could be safely applied to children under relaxant anaesthesia.
The effects on blood gases, intratracheal pressure and temperature with different source pressures were studied. The dangers and disadvantages of high source pressures are discussed.
PaCO2 and PaO2 were maintained with source pressures of 20 pounds per square inch (psi) at 30 breaths per minute, and at this level intratracheal pressures were also safe.
Temperature was shown to fall.
It has been safely applied clinically and two children were studied using 20 psi source pressure.
References
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BrownT. C. K. (1970): “Gammahydroxybutyrate in paediatric anaesthesia.”, Aust. N.Z. J. Surg., 40, 94.
2.
CardenE., TrappW. G., and OultonJ. (1970): “A new and simple method of ventilating patients undergoing bronchoscopy”, Anesthesiology, 33, 455.
3.
SandersR. D. (1967): “Two ventilating attachments for bronchoscopes”, Delaware Med. J., 39, 170.
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SpoerelW. E. (1969): “Ventilation through an open bronchoscope”, Canad. Anaes. Soc. J., 16, 61.
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WatsonW. E. (1962): “Observations on physiological dead space during I.P.P.R.”, Brit. J. Anaesth., 34, 502.
