Use of air entrainment masks during eye surgery

Plastic drapes over the patient's face during eye surgery are necessary to maintain a sterile surgical field. We found that providing the patient with adequate inspiratory gas under these surgical drapes was a problem. We now use air entrainment oxygen masks to provide this surgical patient with a high flow gas source, nearer to peak inspiratory flows than the previously used nasal cannula. The mask is powered with compressed air or, if necessary, compressed oxygen. This practice has helped eliminate restlessness, smothering sensations, coughing, and sudden movements, which can result in disastrous complications during ophthalmic microsurgical procedures. Respiratory therapists can play a key role in explaining and adapting this system for eye surgery.