Comparison of Changes in Total Oxidant and Total Antioxidant Capacities in Low-Flow and High-Flow General Anesthesia Protocols

General anesthesia is a complex physiological state characterized by reversible loss of consciousness, whole-body analgesia, amnesia, and muscle relaxation. Modern anesthesia devices used for patients under general anesthesia are semi-closed rebreathing systems. The fresh gas flow entering these closed systems is determined by the anesthetists.

The term low-flow anesthesia is used to describe inhalation anesthesia techniques that are administered with a semi-closed rebreathing system and have a rebreathing rate of at least 50%. The high standard of anesthesia machines, the existence of monitors that analyze the anesthetic gas composition continuously and in detail, and the increase in knowledge about the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of inhalation anesthetics have greatly facilitated the safe administration of low-flow anesthesia. The terminology associated with low-flow anesthesia techniques may be based on rebreathing rate or fresh gas flow rate. The most important factor determining the rebreathing rate is the fresh gas flow rate. If the fresh gas flow rate is reduced to less than 2 L/min when using modern rebreathing systems, low-flow anesthesia can be mentioned for most patients.

Oxidative stress is accepted as a pathological mechanism. Oxidative stress is a state of oxidative damage that occurs when the critical balance between free radical production and antioxidant defense systems is disrupted. Oxidative stress is beneficial in certain physiological conditions. For example, it can strengthen biological defense mechanisms during appropriate physical exercise and ischemia. However, its benefits are limited to these specific situations, and in many other cases, high levels of oxidative stress cause cell death and thus cell and tissue damage via necrotic or apoptotic mechanisms. If damage continues at the cell and tissue level, it causes the onset and progression of various organ damage and diseases.

Aim: In low-flow anesthesia applications, the amount of inspired oxygen is expected to be low due to keeping the gas supplied to the system low. Therefore, in this study, it will be investigated whether low-flow anesthesia has a positive contribution to the total oxidant/antioxidant balance.

Method: A total of 72 patients undergoing general anesthesia who meet the inclusion criteria and signed informed consent will be included in the study. Vitamin D, albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), Total Antioxidant (TAS) and Total Oxidant (TOS) levels will be determined in the blood samples taken from all volunteers routinely before the operation. Basal peak heart rate (HR), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2), body temperature and processed EEG values will be recorded. All measurements will be recorded and repeated at 5 minute intervals throughout the operation. Volunteers will be randomly divided into 2 groups as low flow group (D) and high flow group (Y). Fresh gas flow of 1 L/min to D group and 4 L/min to Y group will be administered. During the operation, the processed EEG values of all patients will be held between 40-60 and it will be ensured that they are at the same anesthesia depth. Albumin, CRP, TAS and TOS values will be checked again in the blood samples taken for routine tests performed at the end of operation and postoperatively within 6-24 hours after the end of operation, and these values will be compared with the values obtained before the operation.