• Ulrich Goebel, Stefan Schumann, and Steffen Wirth.
• Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
• J Anesth. 2019 Feb 1; 33 (1): 33-39.

PurposeFacemask ventilation during the induction of general anesthesia in paediatric patients remains a challenge as it may result in hypoxic conditions and gastric insufflation with subsequent regurgitation and aspiration. So far, it is unclear if pressure-controlled or manual facemask ventilation is preferable in children. We hypothesized that pressure-controlled ventilation in apnoeic children results in lower peak airway pressure and flow rates compared to manual ventilation at comparable respiratory rates and tidal volumes.MethodsSixty-two lung-healthy children undergoing scheduled ear-nose-throat surgery were included in the study. After the induction of anesthesia, the patient's lungs were consecutively ventilated via a facemask in either manual or pressure-controlled mode, in randomized order. The primary outcome measure was peak airway pressure. Secondary outcome measures included positive end-expiratory pressure, airway compliance, tidal volume and airway flow.ResultsData of 52 patients could be analyzed. Pressure-controlled ventilation resulted in a lower mean and peak inspiratory pressure (both p < 0.001), airway pressure amplitude (p = 0.01) and inspiratory peak flow rate (p = 0.005) compared to manual ventilation. The ratio of inspiration to expiration time was lower in pressure-controlled ventilation compared to manual ventilation (p < 0.001).ConclusionPressure-controlled facemask ventilation during induction of anesthesia in pediatric patients results in lower airway pressure, and lower flow rates compared to manual ventilation, at comparable tidal and minute volumes.

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