A comparison of waste gas concentrations during xenon or nitrous oxide anaesthesia.
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.
Coburn
M
M
University Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen, Department of Anaesthesiology, Pauwelsstrasse 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany. mcoburn@ukaachen.de
Baumert
J-H
JH
Zühlsdorff
A
A
Hein
M
M
Fries
M
M
Rossaint
R
R
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*
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D014978:Xenon; D009609:Nitrous Oxide