National survey of pediatric breathing systems use in the UK*

Abstract

Despite significant improvements to the pediatric circle system and its practical advantages, the T-Piece remains the commonest breathing system used in smaller children by UK members of the APA.

An ADARPEF survey on respiratory management in pediatric anesthesia

“…For 3-15 years old group, inhalational induction was more frequently performed in academic hospitals than in nonacademic institutions (91% vs 77%, P < 0.05, n = 194). Six percent [3][4][5][6][7][8][9] (n = 196) of the anesthetists surveyed never used inhalational induction whatever the agegroup.…”

“…For maintenance, sevoflurane was preferred to propofol (95% [90-97] vs 33% [26-40]). The administration of desflurane, halothane, isoflurane, and midazolam was, respectively, 11% [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16], 5% [3][4][5][6][7][8][9], 4% [2][3][4][5][6][7][8], and <1% (n = 188). Ten respondents (5%) using sevoflurane for induction declared to use another hypnotic for maintenance.…”

“…These proportions did not differ according to the type of institution. Six percent [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] of responders reported difficulties or complications with PSV.…”

“…The impact of technical and knowledge evolutions on current practice can be evaluated by questionnaire surveys (4). Pollution and N 2 O use, as well as breathing circuit use (T-piece vs circle), were surveyed by the Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (APAGBI) (5,6). Following this, the ADARPEF (French-speaking Pediatric Anesthetists and Intensivists Association) supported the present survey in order to determine the practices of its members.…”

A scavenger for the T‐piece

“…S ir —The recently published survey of T‐piece use in the United Kingdom (1) highlights the low usage of scavenging with the T‐piece. The T‐piece can be scavenged easily, safely and effectively, and I draw the reader’s attention to a scavenger first described by Drs Keneally and Overton in 1977 (2).…”