Low-Flow Anesthesia (Update)

Abstract

At the 1994, American Society of Anesthesiologists annual meeting , 90% of the anesthesiGiogists surveyed usually used 2- 5 Ll min. gas flow, while in university and community ,' . hospitals flow rates 1 L /min were t:;Sed in ohly 12.1'% and 15.2 % •

. of cases respectively .

Only one of 15 anesthl.::tist recently surveyed at the • Ottawa General Hospital used low or minimal flows during

maintenance 'anesthesia , Popularity has varied over the years , and low flow anesthesia regained interest over the last few years because of: • Economic concerns .

• Environmental.factor .

• Advanced monitoring technology .

• Introduction of new , expensive inhalational anesthetics

Low flow anesthesia can be defined as a technique which ; using a rf)breathing system , re.. su.lts in at least 50 .% of the . • exhaled air being returned U/ ttie lungs after COabsorption . If moder . rebreathing syste.ms are used , this degree of rebieathing is achieved only if thP, fresh gas flow is• reduced to abot 2 L/ min.