An evaluation of the Universal PAC and Oxford Miniature Vaporizers for paediatric field anaesthesia.

A laboratory study has demonstrated that the Universal PAC and Oxford Miniature Vaporizers can be used for paediatric anaesthesia in drawover mode at varying ambient temperatures. Changes in tidal volume have minimal effect on the delivered concentration of halothane from either vaporizer but varying ambient temperature significantly affects the output of the Oxford Miniature Vaporizer. The Oxford performs well in continuous flow mode, which is of particular use for T-piece anaesthesia, whereas the Universal PAC does not perform adequately in this way.