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The laryngeal mask as an antipollution device
Author(s) -
O'hare K.,
Kerr W. J.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1998.00271.x
Subject(s) - medicine , intensive care medicine
Anaesthetic pollution is still a problem and recent UK Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) recommendations require employers to attempt to control the risk. Fifteen day‐case urology operating lists were studied to compare the level of nitrous oxide exposure using face mask or laryngeal mask anaesthesia. Nitrous oxide was avoided in one group until the laryngeal mask was inserted. The use of the laryngeal mask airway showed a significant reduction in the level of pollution, such that recent COSHH recommendations were attained. However, (US) NIOSH levels were only reliably attained by avoiding nitrous oxide until the laryngeal mask was inserted. The laryngeal mask was therefore shown to be a reliable antipollution device.