Indian Journal of Anaesthesia (Jun 2025)

Feasibility, safety and efficiency of an over-pressure wash-in method using fresh gas flow 0.5 L and sevoflurane 8% during initiation of low-flow anaesthesia: A randomised, descriptional study

  • Bandi Joshiraj,
  • Harihar V. Hegde,
  • Sriramamoorthy R. Marimuthu,
  • Manisha Paul,
  • Neethu George

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/ija.ija_83_25
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 69, no. 6
pp. 580 – 586

Abstract

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Background and Aims: Low-flow anaesthesia (LFA) typically involves a high fresh gas flow (FGF) of 4–6 L/min during the wash-in phase. We aimed to assess the feasibility, safety, and efficiency of an over-pressure wash-in method (FGF = 0.5 L and sevoflurane = 8%) of LFA. The primary objective was the time required to achieve a fraction of alveolar sevoflurane (FAS) =2% (target). Secondary objectives included breathing system stability, ephedrine use, and gas consumption. Methods: After obtaining ethical clearance and consent, 48 patients aged 18–65 years were randomised to two groups: ‘conventional’ (Group C) and ‘over-pressure’ (Group OP). During the wash-in phase, FGF was set at 6 L/min with a sevoflurane vaporiser dial (FVS) of 3% in Group C and at 0.5 L/min with an FVS of 8% in Group OP. After achieving a FAS of 2%, FGF was reduced to 0.5 L/min in Group C, and FVS was adjusted to 4% in both groups, which were maintained for 15 min. The unpaired t-test was used to compare quantitative, normally distributed data, while the Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare quantitative, discrete data. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Data from 45 patients (23 in Group C and 22 in Group OP) were analysed. The mean Ttarget was significantly less in Group C than in Group OP [314 (SD: 145) vs 478 (SD: 100) s, P < 0.001]. The breathing system was ‘stable’ in a significantly higher number of patients (number, percentage) in Group OP compared to Group C (19, 86.4% vs 8, 34.8%) (P = 0.001). The number of vaporiser dial adjustments was significantly different (P = 0.005). The mean consumption of oxygen [50.7 (SD: 6.6) vs 36.4 (SD: 1.2) L, P < 0.001], air [19.2 (SD: 6.8) vs 4.0 (SD: 0.3) L, P < 0.001], and sevoflurane [6.7 (SD: 2) vs 3.3 (SD: 1) mL, P < 0.001] was significantly higher in Group C compared to Group OP. Conclusion: Our method of over-pressure wash-in during LFA initiation is simple, feasible, safe, efficient, economical, and environmentally friendly.

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