Mask positive pressure ventilation always causes the changes of respiratory mechanics such as ventral redistribution of regional ventilation, which impairs gas exchange. Two-handed mask ventilation has been shown to improve gas exchange by providing higher tidal volume than one-handed mask ventilation. We hypothesis that those higher tidal volume caused by two-handed mask ventilation would also improve the respiratory mechanics during induction of general anesthesia.
Two-handed mask ventilation has been shown to provide higher tidal volume than one-handed mask ventilation. The effects of the two techniques on respiratory mechanics during induction of general anesthesia, however, still need to be determined.