title: A scavenging double mask to reduce workplace contamination during mask induction of inhalation anesthesia in dogs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Workplace contamination by the use of volatile anesthetic agents should be kept to a minimum if a potential health hazard is to be minimised. Mask induction of animals is a common procedure. The present study investigates the efficiency of a novel scavenging double mask in reducing waste gas concentrations in the breathing zone of the anesthetist performing this procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve beagle dogs (ASA I) undergoing general anesthesia for a dental procedure were intravenously premedicated with medetomidine and butorphanol (10 μg/kg and 0.2 mg/kg). Anesthesia was induced via a custom-made scavenging mask using isoflurane in oxygen. In six dogs (group S), scavenging from the mask was performed whereas in six other dogs (group NS) the scavenging function was disabled. Isoflurane concentration was continuously measured with photoacoustic spectroscopy at the level of the shoulder of the anesthetist before and during mask induction and additionally during intubation. Statistical analysis was performed with a Student t- test and a Mann-Whitney U test (p < 0.05 for significance).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean isoflurane concentration during baseline (premedication) was 1.8 ± 0.8 ppm and 2.3 ± 0.6 ppm in group S and NS respectively. This increased during mask induction to 2.0 ± 0.8 ppm and 11.2 ± 6.0 ppm respectively (p < 0.01). The maximum isoflurane concentration ranged from 0.7 ppm to 2.8 ppm and from from 8.3 ppm to 43.7 ppm in group S and NS respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This double mask can be used to induce inhalation anesthesia in dogs. Scavenging from the mask significantly decreases the amount of waste anaesthetic gas concentrations in the breathing zone of the anesthetist. Therefore, such a system can be recommended whenever induction or maintenance of general anesthesia by mask is considered.
authors.affiliation: University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Friembichler
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Coppens
authors.forename: Heli
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Säre
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Moens
mesh_terms: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000662:veterinary*; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008397:Masks / Q000662:veterinary*; D017132:Workplace
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D007530:Isoflurane