MODIFICATION OF A NONREBREATHING CIRCUIT ADAPTER TO PREVENT BAROTRAUMA IN ANESTHETIZED PATIENTS

Barotrauma, pneumothorax, and pneumomediastinum occurred in two anesth etized cats in which the waste gas outlet of a nonrebreathing circuit was occluded. To prevent any similar cases of barotrauma, we have modi fied our nonrebreathing circuit adapters by inserting a 15 cm H2O PEEP valve into the gas pathway of the nonrebreathing circuit adapter. Thi s PEEP valve prevents the circuit and airway pressures from exceeding 15 cm H2O if the pop-off valve of the nonrebreathing circuit adapter i s inadvertently left closed. (C)Copyright 1995 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons