Emergency Percutaneous Transtracheal Ventilation during Anesthesia Using Readily Available Equipment

Abstract

Percutaneous transtracheal ventilation has been described as a possible technique for use during anesthesia in the management of acute upper airway obstruction. This study describes a modified percutaneous transtracheal ventilation device for use with standard anesthesia machines. Unlike previously reported devices, this device does not require specialized equipment or prior assembly. The efficacy of this device was tested on anesthetized dogs. Adequate ventilation was easily maintained as documented by serial arterial blood gas determinations, and the device also proved capable of reversing severe hypercapnea such as might result from upper airway obstruction. Extrapolation of the data obtained from these experiments indicates that this device, if used properly, should provide adequate ventilation and oxygenation in adult humans.