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Seeing is Believing: Chasing Sevoflurane Vapor Trails
Jonathan Termaat1, Rachael Tighe2, Larissa Kopf2
1Anesthesia Department, Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand Waikato, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Summary
Topical sevoflurane (anesthetic) application poses minimal off-gas risk. Its vapor, denser than air, accumulates low, with levels below 10 ppm above the source in unventilated spaces.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Sevoflurane, an inhalational anesthetic, is explored for topical use in managing chronic pain and promoting wound healing.
- Concerns exist regarding potential exposure to off-gassed sevoflurane vapor, particularly outside controlled operating room environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatial distribution and concentration of off-gassed sevoflurane vapor from a liquid topical source.
- To assess the risk of sevoflurane vapor exposure in unventilated settings.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a 0.5 m³ test-box with infra-red imaging and gas analysis to track sevoflurane vapor.
- Visualized vapor streaming by observing infra-red absorption (apparent temperature reduction).
- Quantified sevoflurane levels using an infra-red gas analyzer.
Main Results:
- Sevoflurane vapor, denser than air, exhibited a "waterfall" effect, accumulating at the bottom of the test-box.
- Concentrations above the liquid source were minimal, estimated below 10 ppm in a larger unventilated room.
- Vacuum extraction further reduced vapor levels.
Conclusions:
- The tendency of sevoflurane vapor to settle on the floor significantly mitigates off-gas exposure risks.
- Topical application of liquid sevoflurane is considered safe concerning vapor exposure in unventilated environments.
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