Diffusion of Xenon and Nitrous Oxide into the Bowel during Mechanical Ileus

Abstract

ONE well-known side effect of nitrous oxide is its diffusion into gas filled spaces, including the bowel. In dogs, Eger and Saidman found increased gas volumes in obstructed bowel after 4 h of 70-80% nitrous oxide anesthesia. In their study, it was speculated that the distension of the bowels and consecutive impairment of bowel perfusion could self-limit the effect of increased intraluminal pressure and thus prevent the rupture of bowels. 1 1 That assumption has never been tested. From a previous investigation xenon is known to diffuse into bowels to a lesser extent than nitrous oxide. Whether ileus is a contraindication for the administration of xenon could not be answered in this investigation. 2 These questions were investigated in the current study.