Clinlcal evaluation of the low-flow enflurane anaesthesia

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to compare clinical effects of the low-flow anaesthesia, a technique recently gained popularity, with the high-flow anaesthesia by using the volatil anaesthetic, enflurane. Sixty patients whose ages ranged from 20 to 53 years, were included in the study. There were 38 female and 22 male patients. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. Low-flow enflurane anaesthesia was used in 30 patients who constituted the first group, and included in the second group is the remaining 30 patients who were administered high- flow enflurane anaesthesia. Heart rate, systolic-diastolic and mean arterial pressures, body temperature, peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), tidal volume, respiratory rate, end tidal CO2, inspired oxygen, inspired N2O, inspired volatile anaesthetic concentrations, %vapo- riser/%inspired volatile anaesthetic concentration, and airway pressure of the patients were monitored and evaluated every five minute. Recovery time and early postanaesthetic complications of the groups were compared clinically. Hemodynamic parameters, SpO2, and body temperature of the groups were not significantly different (p>0.05). in conclusion low-flow anaesthesia is advan- tageous when compared to the conventional high-flow anaesthesia, and can be used routinely if the appro- priate monitorisation set-up exists.