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…
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…
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…
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…
The anaesthetic machine
The anaesthetic machine receives medical gases (oxygen, nitrous oxide, air) under pressure and provides a continuous and accurate flow of each gas individually. A gas mixture of the desired composition…
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…
Cardiac Anesthesia Events
Cardiac Laceration Definition A cardiac laceration is an inadvertent incision into the right atrium, right ventricle, great vessels, or vein graft(s) during sternotomy or resulting from other traumatic injury Etiology…
Pulmonary Events
Airway Burn Definition Airway burn is thermal or chemical injury to the mucosa of the airway between the mouth and the alveoli. Etiology Inhalation of hot gases From breathing circuit…
