The Affecting Factors on Airway Temperature and Moisture

Under physiological conditions, inhaled air is heated and humidified as it passes through the nose and upper airways until reaching the alveoli. This mechanism is bypassed by endotracheal intubation. Ventilation with dry and cold compressed gases leads to loss of water and heat from the respiratory tract. Drying of the respiratory tract can lead to destruction of the cilia and mucous membranes, resulting in decreased mucociliary transport and increased concentration of secretions.There is no definitive literature on fresh gas mix (oxygen + air) flow rates in patients under general anesthesia. This study aimed to investigate whether two fresh gas flow rates routinely employed in the authors' practice affected airway temperature and humidity.

Inclusion criteria

Patients aged 18-65 years underwent general anesthesia -

Exclusion criteria

admitted to emergency and trauma, history of advanced cardiac disease, cigarette use ≥ 3 packet/day, pulmonary parenchymal disease such as malignancy or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), history of thyroid disease, body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m2, alcohol and substance addiction, mentally deficiency, pregnancy or postpartum, fever and infection, drug use such that would influence thermoregulation such as vasodilators, hemorrhage > 5 mL/kg, and patients who declined to participate.

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