Mechanical ventilation during laryngeal surgery: an evaluation of the Carden tube

The effectiveness and safety of the Carden tube-oxygen injector system for ventilation was studied in 18 high-risk patients with obstructive airways disease during microlaryngeal surgery. Blood gas studies during operation demonstrated a mean Pao2 of 65.6 kPa (493 torr) and a mean PaCO2 of 4.5 kPa (34 torr) during mechanical ventilation. No serious complications were noted during operation. Fifty per cent of the patients had postoperative hypercapnia and in two the trachea was re-intubated. Airway maintenance and ventilation are discussed in detail and it is concluded that the Carden tube-oxygen injector system is a safe and convenient method for ventilating the lungs of patients with pulmonary disease who require microlaryngeal surgery.