Anaesthesia for the separation of conjoined twins.

Anaesthesia for separation of thoracopagus twins is described. One twin died 10 hr postoperatively and was found to have an undiagnosed coarctation of the aorta. The second twin required long term respiratory support and survived.

Efficiency of manual ventilation using the original EMO system.

The efficiency of the Oxford Inflating Bellows for intermittent positive pressure ventilation using a partially closed Heidbrink expiratory valve has been assessed by measuring the arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) after various intervals of IPPV on eight patients. It was found that satisfactory alveolar ventilation was achieved if a degree of hyperventilation was employed.