The use of nitrous oxide in anaesthetic practice: a questionnaire survey

Where practicable, exposure to a hazardous substance should be eliminated or adequately controlled. A postal questionnaire survey was sent to 10% of consultants from the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, to identify the level of use of nitrous oxide in current anaesthetic practice and identify any change of practice over the last 5 years. Details of anaesthetic practice were requested in three areas: nitrous oxide usage, availability of medical air on anaesthetic machines and the use of total intravenous anaesthesia. Replies were received from 320 consultants (75%). Of these, 49% felt that, over the last 5 years, their use of nitrous oxide had decreased. Twenty per cent of anaesthetists felt that there should be some restriction in availability of nitrous oxide. Where medical air was available, 32% felt that they would use it frequently. A total of 263 (83%) stated that they use total intravenous anaesthesia to some extent. The results showed that, although 49% of consultant anaesthetists had reduced their use of nitrous oxide, this was due to medical considerations rather than concerns over health and pollution issues arising from the use of nitrous oxide.