An evaluation of anaesthetic loss from a closed breathing system

We present the results of a laboratory study of the loss of isoflurane from a to-and-fro system, ventilated with oxygen, using a standard ventilator connected to the system via a long corrugated tube (the trunk) in place of the reservoir bag. No conventional fresh gas supply is used and isoflurane is injected as a liquid directly into the soda lime canister. The loss of isoflurane from the system due to mixing in the trunk was generally less than that lost by absorption into rubber and plastic system components. Glass syringes used for injection of liquid isoflurane were found to be a potential source of much greater leaks. The results showed that a to-and-fro system ventilated with oxygen via an open trunk functions as a virtually completely closed anaesthetic breathing system.