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Evaluation of a Rebreathing Method

Peter Freeman, FRACS; Robert F. Salamonsen, MD, FFARACS; John F. Mainland, FFARACS

Arch Otolaryngol. 1985;111(2):75-78.

Abstract
• A laboratory study in 11 healthy subjects was conducted to evaluate the performance of a rebreathing device as a means of raising the effective carbon dioxide level in the inspiratory mixture. In all subjects, there was a sustained rise in end-tidal carbon dioxide levels and a transient rise in end-tidal nitrogen tensions associated with an equivalent fall in end-tidal oxygen levels. Although the rise in end-tidal carbon dioxide tensions was variable, the mean elevation for the 11 subjects (from 36 to 43 mm Hg) was not equivalent to elevations reported to follow inhalation of 5% carbon dioxide mixtures. Nevertheless, the volume of the device was sufficient to cause a marked depression of the end-tidal oxygen level (to 67 mm Hg) in one subject. Despite the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of the rebreathing method, it cannot be recommended in the treatment of sudden or fluctuant sensorineural deafness.

(Arch Otolaryngol 1985;111:75-78)

Author Affiliations
From the Departments of Otolaryngology (Dr Freeman) and Anesthesiology (Dr Salamonsen), Alfred Hospital, and Monash University (Dr Mainland), Melbourne.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication Aug 3, 1984.

Reprint requests to Cabrini Medical Centre, 177 Wattletree Rd, Malvern 3144, Australia (Dr Freeman).

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