Halothane adsorption complicating the use of soda-lime to humidify anaesthetic gases.

If the anaesthetic circle system is arranged to increase the humidity of fresh anaesthetic gases by placing the carbon dioxide absorbent canister between the fresh gas inlet and the patient, drying of the soda-lime can occur. Very dry soda-lime adsorbs significant quantities of halothane. Using fresh soda-lime, effluent halothane concentration reached 50% of the input concentration in 35s, but this time increased to 500 s when dry soda-lime was used. The use of dry soda-lime can result in a slow inhalation induction or in the release of absorbed halothane during a subsequent anaesthetic.