EVALUATION OF A NEW ANAESTHESIA MACHINE (IN LOW FLOW CONDITION)

The performance of a new anaesthesia machine was evaluated under low flow anaesthetic technique for 7 months. An assessment under low flow conditions over a definitive period can highlight the drawbacks or advantages of a machine under stringent conditions. The overall performance was satisfactory in the sense that it proved to be an efficient, reliable and safe machine. Minimum flows of oxygen and nitrous oxide that could be achieved at steady state were 0.4 L/min and 0.5 L/min respectively. At these flows the machine monitors were accurate and one could safely administer anaesthesia with a significant amount of saving of nitrous oxide. The requirement of nitrous oxide fell from 2 cylinders in a day to 2 cylinders in a week.