BACKGROUND Spirometry is a cost-effective diagnostic tool for evaluation of lung function and for case-finding in a resource-limited setting. The acceptance of this test depends on the awareness of its indications and the ability to interpret the results. No studies have assessed the knowledge of spirometry among Nigerian doctors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the current knowledge, awa...

In § 3.5.1.6. the authors emphasize the importance of adequate temperature measurement in the spirometer. However, temperature stability is also important. When a patient breathes in a spirometer, heat is dissipated due to various sources, the heat of reaction in the CO2-absorber being the most important. The resulting increase in temperature is counteracted by the heat capacity of the instrume...

A preliminary assessment of the effectiveness of the Bartlett-Edwards incentive spirometer was made using it as part of the post-operative treatment of 34 patients after open-heart surgery. Its effects on atelectasis were assessed by measuring vital capacity, arterial oxygen tensions, clinical signs and radiological changes. It was found that vital capacity fell after surgery to 41.5 per cent o...

A 68-year-old man presented to the emergency department with a small pneumothorax following aggressive use of an incentive spirometer. The patient had a baseline chest radiograph consistent with emphysema. He was initially treated with oxygen in the emergency department, with resolution of his symptoms. The pneumothorax resolved spontaneously over a period of 3 days. The development of the pneu...

Current spirometers on the market often have retail prices of over $1,000. As a result of this high cost, many physicians practicing in developing countries lack the resources to purchase spirometry equipment. The development of a low-cost, reliable spirometer would allow these physicians to make more quantitative assessments of their patients' pulmonary health. A standardized coaching program ...

Nine patients were anaesthetized with halothane in oxygen using a closed-circle circuit with a Benedict-Roth spirometer substituted for the reservoir bag. The movements of the spirometer were recorded to enable the oxygen consumption and respiratory pattern to be measured continuously before surgery commenced. Increasing concentrations of halothane produced progressive decreases in oxygen uptak...

BACKGROUND Different lung function equipment and different respiratory manoeuvres may produce different Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) results. Although the PEF is the most common lung function test, there have been few studies of these effects and no previous study has evaluated both factors in a single group of patients. METHODS We studied 36 subjects (PEF range 80-570 l/min). All patients reco...

PURPOSE The degree of lung inflation seen on a chest radiograph is dependent on the point during the patient's respiratory cycle at which the radiographer exposes the image receptor. Exposing the image receptor at the exact peak of inflation can be difficult because of the limited time available in which to capture the inspiratory pause. An incentive spirometer can indicate the moment of peak i...