Exposure to Anesthetic Gases

yoga crna · Aug 12, 2005

I don't believe there have been any reliable clinical studies that have proved tetragenic effects or increased rate of miscarriage from trace inhaled anesthetics. Perhaps one of the many students of this forum can give a more definitive answer.

I will say that I have been in anesthesia long enough to remember when we didn't have scavenger systems. It is nice not to be exposed to the agents and I think all of us who work around them everyday feel better.

yoga

jwk · Aug 12, 2005

Hello...just looking to get some opinions regarding exposure to anesthetic gases, particularly during pregnancy. I realize that in high levels this should be avoided. As should exposure to fluro/x-rays/bone cement, etc...but what about trace gases? What are your thoughts on exposure in a PACU environment? How much of the gas is blown off by the patient and could this have an effect on an embryo/fetus? Just curious to see if this has been discussed or what your feelings are on it. Thanks in Advance.

Much ado about nothing...

Patients entering the PACU have already blown off most of their anesthetic gases - that's why they're awake or waking up.

zambezi, BSN, RN · Aug 12, 2005

I don't believe there have been any reliable clinical studies that have proved tetragenic effects or increased rate of miscarriage from trace inhaled anesthetics. Perhaps one of the many students of this forum can give a more definitive answer.
yoga

This is kind of what I have found from doing my own research online...Thanks for both of your answers...I think this is one of those things that there just insn't much research on...but something that still scares me since I am pregnant and working in a PACU on occassion...

jwk · Aug 12, 2005

This is kind of what I have found from doing my own research online...Thanks for both of your answers...I think this is one of those things that there just insn't much research on...but something that still scares me since I am pregnant and working in a PACU on occassion...

It was a concern years ago, but really is not thought of much any more.

You can ask if they do any trace anesthetic gas monitoring in your PACU, which more than likely they are doing occasionally in the OR. It's just a little thing that looks like a pen or an XRay badge that is left out for a day or two, and then somehow a measurement is taken showing the average amount of trace gases.

There seems to be much more concern nowadays with X-Ray and bone cement - heck, there's always something. But hey, it's not a sterile world. You can't protect yourself from everything.

my2sons · Aug 13, 2005

I think your concerns are valid. I work SICU and found that when I was pregnant I developed a strong aversion to the smell of fresh OR patients breath! Especially worse when they came out T-pieced. (I had never noticed the smell before.) I think it was my pregnant body trying to tell me something. I used a small bedside fan to help dissipate the anesthesia gas smell. Weird, huh?

zambezi, BSN, RN · Aug 18, 2005

Thanks for your replies...I am not overly worried, just one of those things that I have been thinking about...I realize that I don't live in a sterile world but will do what I can to protect myself and the baby (especially since it is not a full time job). I asked my OB and he also said that it shouldn't be a problem, but next time I work I will ask the head anesthesiologist as well just to see what he has to say. Thanks again for the replies...I thought that I would be totally laid back about the whole thing but I find myself thinking about all this stuff in the meantime! If anyone else has any thoughts, comments, etc please feel free to post!