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PHYSICS AND FUNCTION OF OPERATING ROOM SUCTION
Author(s) -
Meagher Alan P.,
Hugh Thomas B.,
Li Bei,
Montano Stewart R.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.111
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 0004-8682
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-2197.1991.tb00321.x
Subject(s) - suction , medicine , volumetric flow rate , surgery , mechanical engineering , mechanics , engineering , physics
A study was done to evaluate the performance of suction apparatus in the operating room. The investigation was prompted by perceived poor suction performance in a suite of new operating rooms built in accordance with Standards Australia (SA) specifications. SA performance tests were conducted on each of four suction outlets in nine operating rooms. All 36 outlets complied with SA standards for flow‐rate (minimum 40 Umin) and occluded negative pressure (ONP: minimum ‐60kPa). However, 24 collection units failed to comply with standards (ONP) of ‐40kPa achieved in < 4 s when a 4 L disposable suction apparatus was connected (mean time to ONP 6.1 s, 95% confidence interval: 4.9, 7.3). When smaller capacity suction jars were substituted, more units met SA standards. The standards therefore need revision to include specification of the capacity of the collecting apparatus. Other factors that were found to degrade suction performance significantly were air leakage and defective shut‐off valves. The physical principles involved in operating room suction are described. Surgeons and anaesthetists should understand these principles, and it is recommended that a simple pre‐operative check of the suction apparatus should be carried out, as follows: (1) Turn the wall control knob fully on, and disconnect the suction apparatus. The gauge should register zero. (2) Connect the suction jars. If the indicated gauge pressure is in excess of ‐15kPa, investigate the equipment for excessive resistance, particularly in the shut‐off valve, which should be replaced with a new unit if necessary. (3) Occlude the suction jar inlet with a finger, and note the time taken for the gauge pressure to reach ‐40kPa. If this exceeds 4 s. investigate the system for leaks. If none are found, consider using smaller capacity collection jars