Effect of Low-flow Anesthesia Education on Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior of the Anesthesia Team

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of education on the knowledge, attitude and behavior of anesthesiology staff and residents towards low-flow anesthesia. The staff and residents in the Department of Anesthesia and Reanimation, Zonguldak Karaelmas University were given theoretical and practical training in delivering low-flow anesthesia. To evaluate their attitudes and behaviors toward low-flow anesthesia, we collected data during the 6 months before training, during the first 3 months after training, and at 4–6 months after training. Anesthesia follow-up records, operation time, volatile anesthetic agent used, and the amount (in liters) of fresh gas low mid-anesthesia were recorded in all three stages. A total of 3,158 patients received general anesthesia and inhalation anesthesia was used in 3,115 of these patients. Our study group consisted of 2,752 patients who had no absolute or relative contraindications to low-flow anesthesia. While the mean fresh gas flow was 4.00 ± 0.00 L/min before training, this level dropped to 2.98 L/min in the first 3 months after training, and to 3.26 L/min in the following 3 months. The mean fresh gas flow was significantly lower at the two post-training assessments than before training (p < 0.05). In conclusion, low-flow anesthesia may be used more frequently if educational seminars are provided to anesthetists. The use of low-flow anesthesia may increase further by allocating more time to this technique in anesthesia training programs provided at regular intervals.