title: A comparison of waste gas concentrations during xenon or nitrous oxide anaesthesia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare waste gas concentrations during xenon or nitrous oxide anaesthesia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 64 patients were included in this study. Gas concentrations were measured with a mass spectrometer during anaesthesia. The probes were taken beside the patient's head and thorax and at a height of 180 cm above and at the floor level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both groups, waste gas concentrations peak after intubation and extubation. Waste gas levels during xenon anaesthesia are low compared with nitrous oxide.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The low waste gas levels of xenon seem to be beneficial compared to nitrous oxide.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen, Department of Anaesthesiology, Pauwelsstrasse 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany. mcoburn@ukaachen.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Coburn
authors.forename: J-H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Baumert
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zühlsdorff
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hein
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fries
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rossaint
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000032:analysis*; D009873:Operating Rooms / Q000592:standards; D014978:Xenon / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D014978:Xenon; D009609:Nitrous Oxide