Biomaterial Database

The lower limits of flammability of halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane. 1975

P F Leonard

Halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane, generally regarded as nonflammable, can be ignited under laboratory conditions. Attainment of similar conditions during clinical anesthesia is most unlikely. Nevertheless, early in the course of anesthesia while the concentration of the agent is still high, electrosurgery is best avoided if nitrous oxide is part of the anesthetic mixture and the operative field is exposed directly to the inflowing gases (as during certain laryngeal procedures).

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007530	Isoflurane	A stable, non-explosive inhalation anesthetic, relatively free from significant side effects.
D008738	Methyl Ethers	A group of compounds that contain the general formula R-OCH3.	Ethers, Methyl
D009609	Nitrous Oxide	Nitrogen oxide (N2O). A colorless, odorless gas that is used as an anesthetic and analgesic. High concentrations cause a narcotic effect and may replace oxygen, causing death by asphyxia. It is also used as a food aerosol in the preparation of whipping cream.	Laughing Gas,Nitrogen Protoxide,Gas, Laughing,Oxide, Nitrous
D010100	Oxygen	An element with atomic symbol O, atomic number 8, and atomic weight [15.99903; 15.99977]. It is the most abundant element on earth and essential for respiration.	Dioxygen,Oxygen-16,Oxygen 16
D002627	Chemistry, Physical	The study of CHEMICAL PHENOMENA and processes in terms of the underlying PHYSICAL PHENOMENA and processes.	Physical Chemistry,Chemistries, Physical,Physical Chemistries
D004737	Enflurane	An extremely stable inhalation anesthetic that allows rapid adjustments of anesthesia depth with little change in pulse or respiratory rate.	Alyrane,Enfran,Enlirane,Ethrane,Etran
D005107	Explosions	Sudden, violent, and often destructive expansion of gases which propagates energy outward, such as a shock wave, ejecting fragments and debris at high velocities.	Explosion
D005390	Fires	Combustion or burning in which substances combine chemically with oxygen typically giving out bright light, heat, and smoke.	Fire
D006221	Halothane	A nonflammable, halogenated, hydrocarbon anesthetic that provides relatively rapid induction with little or no excitement. Analgesia may not be adequate. NITROUS OXIDE is often given concomitantly. Because halothane may not produce sufficient muscle relaxation, supplemental neuromuscular blocking agents may be required. (From AMA Drug Evaluations Annual, 1994, p178)	1,1,1-Trifluoro-2-Chloro-2-Bromoethane,Fluothane,Ftorotan,Narcotan
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man