Humidification and filtration
Inhaling dry gases can cause damage to the cells lining the respiratory tract, impairing ciliary function. Within a short period of just 10 minutes of ventilation with dry gases, cilia…
Ventilators
Ventilators are used to provide controlled ventilation to maintain oxygenation and removal of carbon dioxide. Many of them have the facilities to provide multiple ventilatory modes that can lead to…
Breathing systems
Breathing systems must fulfil three objectives: 1. delivery of oxygen 2. removal of carbon dioxide from the patient 3. delivery of inhaled anaesthetic agents. These agents are predominantly eliminated by…
Laryngoscopes and tracheal intubation equipment
Laryngoscopes These devices are used to perform direct laryngoscopy and to aid in tracheal intubation ( Fig. 7.1 ). They can also be used to visualize the larynx or pharynx…
Masks and oxygen delivery devices
Face masks and angle pieces The face mask is designed to fit the face anatomically and comes in different sizes to fit patients of different age groups (from neonates to…
Pollution in theatre and scavenging
Since the late 1960s there has been speculation that trace anaesthetic gases/vapours may have a harmful effect on operating theatre personnel. It has been concluded from currently available studies that…
Medical gas supply
Gas supply Medical gas supply takes the form of either cylinders or a piped gas system, depending on the requirements of the hospital. Cylinders Components 1. Cylinders are made of…
Spasmodic Torticollis
ICD-10 CODE G24.8 The Clinical Syndrome Spasmodic torticollis is a rare condition characterized by involuntary movement of the head. It is classified as a focal or segmental dystonia and occurs…
Clival Chordoma Syndrome
ICD-10 CODE D16.4 The Clinical Syndrome Clival chordoma is a rare neoplasm that arises from embryological remnants of the notochord along the spinal axis. Clival chordomas are usually benign, although…
Nummular Headache
Abstract: Nummular headache is an uncommon chronic headache syndrome characterized by constant localized pain with superimposed paroxysms of stabbing jabs and jolts of mild to moderate intensity that occur in…
