[Reduction of apparatus deadspace in pediatric anaesthesia (author's transl)]

Abstract

The size of inhalation equipment deadspace in infant anaesthesia is of critical importance. While endotracheal intubation reduces anatomical deadspace, the added deadspace of the tube connector tends to increase the overall deadspace by 6 to 10 ml. In order to ensure optimal gas exchange at minimal respiratory effort a new tube was designed which separates inspiratory gas down to the level of the vocal cords and maintains rapid gas flow by a Venturi injector. In controlled air ventilation this tube improves arterial pO2 by 15% and reduces tidal-volume 35% compared to Magill tubes of equal size.