PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Svilen Alexov AU - Danail Petrov TI - Use of heliox and small size endotracheal tubes for surgery of severe tracheal stenoses (STS) DP - 2012 Sep 01 TA - European Respiratory Journal PG - P2938 VI - 40 IP - Suppl 56 4099 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P2938.short 4100 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P2938.full SO - Eur Respir J2012 Sep 01; 40 AB - Heliox improves ventilation by reducing density dependent resistance due to high kinematic viscosity and high diffusivity.Objective: To present our experience and evaluate feasibility to maintain adequate ventilation using Heliox through small size endotracheal tubes during the initial period of operations for STS until the trachea is divided below the stenosis.Methods: 4 patients with postintubational STS were intubated spontaneously breathing He-O2 (70/30) after topicalization and light sedation. In 3 of them (high stenoses) we used microlaryngeal tubes; for one (low stenosis) we designed double-size tubes.Anesthesia was deepened with propofol, relaxants and opioids. He and O2 were mixed via recalibrated rotameters at 75/25 ratio, controlled paramagnetically and delivered with a bellow ventilator. Monitoring: side stream spirometry, recalibrated mechanical volumeters, pulse oxymetry, invasive pressure, ABGs.Results: for the period of Heliox ventilation.View this table:Conclusions: Heliox through small size tubes may be an alternative ventilation for securing free airways during the initial period of operations for STS.