Abstract
We have assessed, for the first time, genotoxicity (i.e. sister chromatid exchanges and micronuclei) in anaesthetists exposed to a single volatile anaesthetic (sevoflurane) without nitrous oxide. The anaesthetists were exposed to an 8-h time-weighted average of 0.2 parts per million sevoflurane. Internists served as non-exposed controls. Mean (SD) sister chromatid exchanges per cell were ...
Abstract
We have assessed, for the first time, genotoxicity (i.e. sister chromatid exchanges and micronuclei) in anaesthetists exposed to a single volatile anaesthetic (sevoflurane) without nitrous oxide. The anaesthetists were exposed to an 8-h time-weighted average of 0.2 parts per million sevoflurane. Internists served as non-exposed controls. Mean (SD) sister chromatid exchanges per cell were significantly higher in anaesthetists compared to internists (6.6 (0.9) vs 5.1 (0.8); p < 0.001) whereas median (IQR [range]) micronuclei per 1000 binucleated cells did not differ (9.5 (6.3-10.8 [2.0-15.5]) vs 8.5 (6.0-10.5 [3.0-25.5]), respectively). Although the anaesthetists were exposed to rather low concentrations of sevoflurane, this 30% increase of sister chromatid exchanges is in agreement with a recently reported 300% increase with a high level exposure to sevoflurane and nitrous oxide. Omitting nitrous oxide does not normalise increased rates of sister chromatid exchanges.
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