REES T-PIECE PAEDIATRIC CIRCUIT

Typical Number in Hospital:

Cost Bands:

References: 2

Most anaesthetics are delivered via a Magill attachment of the breathing circuit components. This unfortunately produces resistance to expiration due to the use of an expiratory valve. In paediatrics this is often avoided by the use of a T-piece circuit in which a length of breathing tube is used as a reservoir for the exhaled gases and for fresh gas. This is unsatisfactory if assisted ventilation is required since no pressure can be developed within the circuit. The Rees circuit overcomes this problem by the use of a double-ended reservoir bag at the free end of the breathing tube. Ventilation is assisted by squeezing the bag while closing the open end of the bag between a finger and thumb. The finger is released during the expiratory phase.