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OK, thanks-- I'm aware of this.
I don't think patients who do not have adequate reversal of NMB (ie lack of airway reflexes) should be placed on a t-piece because of their potential to hypoventilate (yeah yeah, diaphragm comes back first, I know) in a situation where they are inappropriately monitored (no capnography). You can probably get away with it, but I won't do it with my patients.
So lets say you're finishing up an ACL on a twenty year old Tulane football star.
You did it under general because you're a member of S.A.R.A.
He's reversed....holding a pretty good tidal volume, but you arent quite ready to extubate.
And he is sleepier than you anticipated, since he's received only 150ug fentanyl for a 2 hour case.
Regardless, despite his good ventilatory pattern, you feel like waiting to pull the tube.
ETCO2 holding steady at 58.
Orthopedist has 4 knee scopes to go. Has to follow himself....no other rooms available.
Will you T piece him to the PACU?