Korean J Anesthesiol.  1999 Nov;37(5):776-780. 10.4097/kjae.1999.37.5.776.

Carboxyhemoglobin Levels during High and Minimal Flow Anesthesia

• You HM
• Jang HS
• Jean SY
• Lee SH

• KMID: 2239010
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.1999.37.5.776

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Minimal flow anesthesia preserves the moisture content of CO2 absorbents and seems to be a factor inhibiting carbon monoxide generation. In order to assess the safety of minimal flow anesthesia, we studied carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) level in minimal flow anesthesia.
METHODS
Forty women, ASA physical status I or II, undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy were randomly allocated to one of two groups with N2O-enflurane anesthesia. Anesthesia was maintained with O2 2 l/min and N2O 2 l/min (group 1) or O2 0.3 l/min and N2O 0.2 l/min (group 2). The arterial COHb levels were measured immediately after induction (T1), 45 min after induction (T2), 75 min after induction (T3), and after recovery from anesthesia (T4).
RESULTS
Although there was no statistically significant change in both groups, the COHb level at T3 and T4 increased more than that at T1 in group 1, and that at T3 and T4 decreased more than that at T1 in group 2. There was a significant difference in the COHb level at T4 between group 1 (0.93 0.31%) and 2 (0.68 0.36%) (P <0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
These results show that minimal flow anesthesia does not increase the COHb level and may be performed safely.

Keyword

Anesthetic technique, high flow anesthesia, minimal flow anesthesia; Blood, arterial blood gas analysis, carboxyhemoglobin

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia*
Carbon Monoxide
Carboxyhemoglobin*
Female
Humans
Hysterectomy
Carbon Monoxide
Carboxyhemoglobin