[Halogenated anesthetic vaporizers: importance of maintenance regulations].

C E Klopfenstein, B Walder, A Rohrbach, F X Clergue, A Forster

Index: Ann. Fr. Anesth. Reanim. 17(7) , 747-9, (1998)

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Abstract

We report a serious dysfunction of 19 halothane vaporisers Vapor 19.3 (Dräger) which delivered a much higher concentration of agent than indicated on the dial. This inaccuracy was linked to a major corrosion of the inner layers of the vaporiser, with a deposit of zinc bromide and chloride in the bypass channel. The main cause for this dysfunction was the absence of an adequate maintenance of the vaporisers since their purchase 3 years before.