Disposable and autoclavable anaesthetic circuits: the future is now

The potential transmission of disease by anaesthetic and ventilator breathing circuits has resulted in the widespread use of filters. Convincing scientific evidence of their complete efficacy is lacking particularly in regard to viruses. In the past, practical difficulties precluded the use of new or autoclavable equipment for successive patients, particularly if ventilators were required. These have been overcome by the development of disposable and autoclavable carbon dioxide absorbers and breathing circuits. Disposable equipment is more expensive than filters but autoclavable circuits and absorbers are of comparable cost or cheaper.