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Oct 30, 2013Article Details
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Low-flow anaesthesia (how to do it)
Abstract
The practice of volatile anaesthetic agent delivery using a fresh gas flow less than the minute volume has been with us since the early days of anaesthesia. Its popularity has closely paralleled the introduction of new volatile anaesthetic agents, where the cost saving of using lowflow
is a prerequisite to affording a new, expensive agent. The introduction of Desflurane and Sevoflurane in the South African market over the past few years, along with the 0028 code for lowflow earlier this year has renewed interest in the technique. Some anaesthesia machines now come equipped with “econometers” designed to achieve the optimal fresh gas flow, while also reassuring one that an adequate fresh gas flow is being delivered. With the widespread availability of agent, CO2 and oxygen monitors the use of low-flow anaesthesia has become a predictable technique that can be titrated
against measurable results.
is a prerequisite to affording a new, expensive agent. The introduction of Desflurane and Sevoflurane in the South African market over the past few years, along with the 0028 code for lowflow earlier this year has renewed interest in the technique. Some anaesthesia machines now come equipped with “econometers” designed to achieve the optimal fresh gas flow, while also reassuring one that an adequate fresh gas flow is being delivered. With the widespread availability of agent, CO2 and oxygen monitors the use of low-flow anaesthesia has become a predictable technique that can be titrated
against measurable results.
