Method and apparatus for monitoring the systemic absorption of irrigation fluid during operative hysteroscopy

摘要

A ported connecting tube is interposed between the gas delivery hose of an anesthesia gas delivery machine and the outlet of an endotracheal tube. One end of a flexible conduit is inserted into the port in the connecting tube and the other end is connected to a breath alcohol meter thereby placing the sampling chamber of the meter in flow registration with the endotracheal tube. During operative hysteroscopy, a refrigerated solution containing, optimally 1% Ethanol is used to irrigate the surgery site, and the patient's expired breath is periodically sampled to determine the presence and quantity of ethanol therein. The presence of ethanol indicates systemic absorption of the irrigation fluid by the patient, which absorption may cause undesirable operative and post operative complications in the patient.