A disposable humidifer (artificial nose) was developed for the purpose of keeping heat and moisture of inhalated gas, thereby preventing postoperative respiratory complications due to dried airway, Animal experiments and clinical results showed that the preservation of respiratory function was attained by using the disposable humidifier in terms of physiological shunt in the lung and alveolararterial Pot difTerence.In addition, the patients with DH could cough up easily imn.ediately after operation. Electromicroscopic study indicated better preservation of the mucoci l iary epithelium of the bronchus in the group with DH. It was concluded that DH was effective for preserving respiratory function during and after operation.
