A new method of tubeless anaesthesia for upper airway laser surgery

We have successfully used an externally mounted cuirass ventilator called the Hayek Oscillator to ventilate 15 patients undergoing laser surgery to the head and neck. Ventilation frequencies were in the range 60–180 cycles min−1, inspiratory pressures varied from −15 to −25 cm of water, expiratory pressures from +5 to +10 cm of water. This machine has overcome the major problem of safely oxygenating patients undergoing laser surgery to the upper aerodigestive tract while leaving the surgical field unencumbered. No complications were encountered.