Pediatric dentistry
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Pediatric dentistry · Sep 2004
Nitrous oxide concentrations in the posterior nasopharynx during administration by nasal mask.
Nitrous oxide (N2O) administration with nasal mask produces variable outcomes in dental patients. This study describes a novel sampling method to measure actual inspired/expired N2O concentrations ([N2O]). ⋯ Nasopharyngeal end-expired [N2O] varied markedly from flowmeter settings. Correlation of PETCO2 with expected physiologic values validates sampling methodology. This method allows accurate, continuous, and actual measurements of inhaled/exhaled gases in awake patients as well as decision-making/analysis of effectiveness of mask type to determine average [N2O] during administration by nasal mask.