ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The widespread tunnel-shaped construction of magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) machines requires a remote device free of metal for ventilation of the comatose patient not breathing spontaneously. PATIENT AND METHOD: In order to ventilate a 3 year old boy, we modified an open-circuit bag ventilation system according to requirements. Fresh gas was insufflated into the patient's tube connector using a 6 m small sized silicon rubber hose, thus providing the required distance from the metallic gas supply. A second branch of the tube connector was connected to 1 m of wide tubing ending in the bag (Kuhn-system). RESULTS: The system proved its competence during a 1 hour session, and did not result in MRT artefacts. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the system design, the extension of the tubing does not result in significant dead space ventilation provided there is adequate fresh gas flow. The proposed system is simple in construction, easy to handle, and ideal for use on comatose children urgently requiring MRT. Thus, any delay due to preparations for anaesthesia and mechanic ventilation can be avoided.
