Letter

The effect of different anaesthetic mask shapes on the anatomical dead space using infant, child and adult part-task trainers

Published in: Southern African Journal of Anaesthesia and Analgesia
Volume 24 , issue 5 , 2018 , pages: 145–147

DOI: 10.1080/22201181.2018.1517475

Author(s): L Botes School of Medicine, South Africa , J Jacobs School of Medicine, South Africa , R Rademeyer School of Medicine, South Africa , S Van der Merwe School of Medicine, South Africa , L Van Heerden School of Medicine, South Africa , BJS Diedericks Department of Anaesthesiology, South Africa

Keywords: anaesthesia , anatomical dead space , inhalation , masks , pulmonary ventilation , respiratory

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Abstract

Dead space is the portion of tidal volume that does not participate in alveolar gas exchange. The purpose of this study was to compare the dead space contribution of differently shaped masks, of the same size, by measuring the volume of each mask. The study was conducted in the Clinical Simulation Unit of the School of Medicine, University of the Free State (UFS) using formed masks with inflatable polyvinylchloride (PVC) cuffs and rounded masks with non-inflatable PVC cuffs. The masks were placed on the faces of the infant, child and adult part-task trainers as well as on a flat surface. The cuffs of the formed masks were inflated to 5 cm water and 70 cm water. Masks were filled with water and the volume was measured.

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