[Respiratory controlled intermittent inspiratory pleural drainage--a method for handling life threatening...

A report is presented on a technical device for artificial ventilation of patients with severe bronchopleural fistulae. The respirator-controlled apparatus interrupts drainage suction at the beginning of inspiration and releases it again at expiration. In contrast to similar constructions, this system does not allow drainage secretions to influence its functional efficiency. Modifications for connection of this apparatus are conceivable for all modern respirators. A case is described in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the procedure. The hitherto published literature is critically reviewed.