Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow E-Letters: Submit a response to the article
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when E-letters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Search for citing articles in:
ISI Web of Science (2)
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Disclaimer
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Enlund, M.
Right arrow Articles by Revenäs, B.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Enlund, M.
Right arrow Articles by Revenäs, B.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

British Journal of Anaesthesia, 2003, Vol. 90, No. 5 686-688
© 2003 The Board of Management and Trustees of the British Journal of Anaesthesia

Short Communications

Ceasing routine use of nitrous oxide—a follow up

M. Enlund, L. Edmark and B. Revenäs

Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Central Hospital, SE-721 89 Västerås, Sweden

{dagger}Conflict of Interest: Dr Enlund is currently by part a paid consultant for Aneo AB, Marsta, Sweden, and is also a clinical investigator for Hudson RCI AB, Upplands Vasby, Sweden. There are no conflicts of interest for the two co-authors.

Background. The role of nitrous oxide in modern anaesthesia is questioned. The routine use of nitrous oxide was almost completely stopped in our department after November 1, 2000, and we now report some consequences.

Methods. Staff completed a questionnaire after 6 months, and we analysed the use of hypnotics and opioids after 12 months. The cost of drugs for the year after stopping nitrous oxide was compared with the cost 2 yr before.

Results. Less than half of the 55 staff members who answered the questionnaire used nitrous oxide in the 6 months after the stop, and they did so on only a few occasions. Half of the staff members thought the benefit of nitrous oxide was small. Most supported the change. The use of opioids was stable during the study period, and there was an annual increase of 12–14% in the use of hypnotics during the 3 yr.

Conclusions. The staff questionnaire showed a strong acceptance of the new policy, and the use of other anaesthetic agents did not increase as expected. Has the value of nitrous oxide been overestimated?

Br J Anaesth 2003; 90: 686–8


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Br J AnaesthHome page
L. Dimpel and M. Enlund
Use of nitrous oxide in anaesthesia
Br. J. Anaesth., October 1, 2003; 91(4): 605 - 606.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Disclaimer:
Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.