A method of spontaneously breathing anaesthesia in the prone position without endotracheal intubation

A method of delivering anaesthetics to spontaneously breathing patients in the prone position was developed. The arterial blood gases of eighteen patients undergoing short-stay surgery and using this technique were analysed. The results showed the influence of premedication on arterial pH and PCO2 levels but they do not differ from accepted values for similar anaesthesia on supine patients. The advantages and disadvantages of this technique are discussed.