[Removal of sevoflurane and nitrous oxide from waste anesthetic gases by using Anesclean, the system for treating waste anesthetic gases].

BACKGROUND: The system for treating waste anesthetic gases, Anesclean, has been developed recently. This system can collect volatile anesthetics from waste anesthetic gases, and then decompose nitrous oxide (N2O) into N2 and O2 immediately. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of this treating system, Anesclean, on removal of greenhouse effect gases in our university hospital. METHODS: The concentrations of sevoflurane and N2O from an outlet of the system were measured using gas-chromatography. The total amount of sevoflurane consumed in the past two years and the amount of sevoflurane collected by Anesclean in the same period were measured to calculate collection rate. RESULTS: The concentrations of anesthetics in the outlet were very low, suggesting that the system works effectively. The amount of sevoflurane consumed was 606.51, and 245.31 was collected. Thus, calculated collection rate was 40.4%, indicating that approximately 60% of sevoflurane is not collected in our current situation. CONCLUSIONS: The waste anesthetic gas treating system, Anesclean, was effective to some degree in collection of sevoflurane and decomposition of N2O. However, in order to increase collection rate of sevoflurane, we need to pay more attention to minimize gas leak during anesthetic procedure.