ABSTRACT
Introduction: Draw-over anaesthesia remains an attractive option for conduct of anaesthesia in austere conditions. The Diamedica Draw-over Vaporiser (DDV) is a modern draw-over vaporiser and has separate models for isoflurane/halothane and sevoflurane.
Materials and Methods: : A laboratory study was done to measure sevoflurane output in an isoflurane/ halothane DDV. We did 3 series of experiments with the isoflurane/halothane DDV. We measured anaesthetic agent output in both push-over and draw-over setups, and at minute ventilation of 6 L/min and 3 L/min. Series 1 experiment was done with isoflurane in the DDV at ambient temperature of 20° C. Series 2 experiment was done with sevoflurane in the DDV at ambient temperature of 20° C. Series 3 experiment was done with sevoflurane in the DDV and with the DDV placed in a water bath of 40° C. Results: The sevoflurane output was found to be two-thirds of the isoflurane/halothane DDV dial setting at ambient temperature of 20° C. With the DDV in a 40° C water bath, the sevoflurane output was found to be about the isoflurane/halothane DDV dial settings Conclusion: We identified the main physical work stresses in the back injury cases as carrying, awkward postures and lifting. The common industries involved were construction, accommodation and food services, and transport and storage sectors. This is useful for programmes aimed at reducing physical work stresses which can lead to improved work and health outcomes for our workers.Draw-over anaesthesia is an attractive option in a resource poor environment.1 The Diamedica Draw-over Vaporiser (DDV) by Diamedica UK is a modern reiteration of the venerable Oxford Miniature Vaporiser (OMV).2 The OMV can be used with halothane, trichlorethylene, enflurane, isoflurane and sevoflurane. The DDV comes in 2 versions,3 one for isoflurane/halothane and one for sevoflurane. The isoflurane/halothane DDV is made of stainless steel and has a capacity of 150 mL/s. Its dry weight is 2.6 kg and allows a scale from 0% to 5% . The purpose of this series of experiments was two-fold. Firstly, to examine sevoflurane output when utilising the isoflurane/halothane DDV and secondly, to examine whether this vaporiser could, if required, be used in clinical practice with sevoflurane.
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