Residual volatile anesthetics after workstation preparation and activated charcoal filtration

Background Volatile anesthetics potentially trigger malignant hyperthermia crises in susceptible patients. We therefore aimed to identify preparation procedures for the Draeger Primus that minimize residual concentrations of desflurane and sevoflurane with and without activated charcoal filtration. Methods A Draeger Primus test workstation was primed with 7% desflurane or 2.5% sevoflurane for 2 hours. Residual anesthetic concentrations were evaluated with five preparation procedures, three fresh gas flow rates, and three distinct applications of activated charcoal filters. Finally, non‐exchangeable and autoclaved parts of the workstation were tested for residual emission of volatile anesthetics. Concentrations were measured by multicapillary column–ion mobility spectrometry with limits of detection/quantification being