Technique

Scavenging Anesthetic Gas from a Membrane Oxygenator During Cardiopulmonary Bypass

St. Luke’s Hospital, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

^* Address correspondence to: Michael Homishak, CCP Perfusion Department St. Luke’ s Hospital 801 Ostrum Street Bethlehem, PA 18015 Volume

Abstract

Concerns remain about the acute and chronic effects on personnel of waste anesthetic gases in the operating room environment. This study demonstrates a simple and effective means of scavenging waste anesthetic gases when halogenated anesthetics are administered through the pump oxygenator during cardiopulmonary bypass. This technique safeguards workers’ health by reducing ambient anesthetic levels below the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommended exposure limits.