Compound A concentration in the circle absorber system during low-flow sevoflurane anesthesia: comparison of Drägersorb Free, Amsorb, and Sodasorb II.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To determine compound A concentrations in a low-flow circuit containing Drägersorb Free (Dräger, Lübeck, Germany), Amsorb (Armstrong, Coleraine, Northern Ireland), and Sodasorb II (W. R. Grace, Lexington, MA).

DESIGN

Randomized study.

SETTING

Hamamatsu University Hospital.

PATIENTS

24 ASA physical status I and II patients scheduled for general anesthesia greater than 3 hours' duration.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were allocated to three groups of eight patients each to receive either using either Drägersorb Free, Amsorb, or Sodasorb II. Immediately before anesthesia induction, 1 kg of fresh absorbent was placed in the anesthesia canister. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane (end-tidal concentration 1% to 3%) in oxygen and nitrous oxide (FIO(2) > 0.3) at a total flow of 1 L/min.

MEASUREMENTS

Inspiratory compound A concentration in the circuit was measured once every hour.

MAIN RESULTS

Maximum compound A concentrations for Drägersorb Free, Amsorb, and Sodasorb II were 2.4 +/- 0.8 (mean +/- SD) ppm, 3.1 +/- 0.5 ppm, and 28.0 +/- 10.0 ppm (p < 0.01 vs. Drägersorb Free and Amsorb). Concentrations with Drägersorb Free and Amsorb remained at less than 4 ppm throughout the study.

CONCLUSIONS

Because compound A concentrations in the circuit with Drägersorb Free and Amsorb were negligible, sevoflurane can be used at a fresh gas flow of 1 L/min with these two absorbents.