Implementation and acceptability of anaesthetic agent capture technology

Abstract

Background: Anaesthetic gases contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. At present, all hospitals rely on anaesthetic gas scavenging systems (AGSS) to remove patient exhaled anaesthetic gases from the anaesthetic room and operating theatre directly into the atmosphere. Novel technology can now capture, store locally and later recycle these volatile anaesthetic agents, almost eliminating their greenhouse gas contribution. CONTRAfluran is such a system which passively absorbs anaesthetic gases from the expiratory limb of the anaesthetic breathing circuit into canisters, which are collected and processed, allowing for desflurane, sevoflurane, and isoflurane to be recycled and later reused.