Use of venturi entrainment mask for high-flow ventilation of patients submitting to ophthalmic surgery under local anesthesia.

The venturi entrainment mask is an inexpensive, disposable item readily available from the respiratory therapy department of most hospitals, which can be used with the patients submitting to ophthalmic surgery under local anesthesia to provide low oxygen concentration, high-flow ventilation at nearly room temperature and humidity. Four liters of oxygen will entrain an additional 101 liters of room air using the 24% uptake valve. This high-flow ventilation system eliminates hypercarbia since the patient never rebreathes. The mask elevates the drapes comfortably off the patient's face without dislodging and reduces the danger of flash fire with the use of thermal electrocautery.