[Apneic anesthesia in unventilated patients for various operations and explorations in laryngotracheal surgery]

A technique of anesthesia is considered for laryngoscopy in suspension, and certain acts of surgery of the vocal cords, e.g. myxoma, and of the trachea, e.g. destruction of papillomatosis. The patient is in apnea, unventilated, a catheter brings down to the level of the carena a current of oxygen of 15 liters per minute, the gaseous acidosis is buffered by injections of a solution of molar sodium bicarbonate. After briefly recalling the notions which justify this technique, its repercussion on homeostasis is studied by arterial gasometry. General anaesthesia with apneic oxygenation may offer the ENT surgeon increased possibilities of exploration and operation at the level of the larynx and trachea, but owing to its biological consequences, it should be used only with circumspection and its indications should be totally justified, for acts of limited duration. The technique seems, at present, difficult to adapt to surgery with laser.