Introduction
The chemical name of laughing gas is nitrous oxide, the chemical structural formula is N2O. Laughing gas is a colorless gas and comes from the chemical group of nitrogen oxides. It was already synthesized in the 17th century and is therefore one of the oldest anaesthetics in the world.
Laughing gas is produced by heating a mixture of ammonium sulfate and sodium nitrate. This is done in the laboratory. In a natural environment, however, nitrous oxide can also be formed, namely in agriculture. On fertilized arable soils or in silos, nitrous oxide can be formed by decomposition processes, which in some cases is even sufficient to trigger a corresponding anaesthetic effect (silon anaesthesia).
What is meant by nitrous oxide elimination?
Laughing gas sedation is the sedation (calming) of patients, for example for dental treatment. As an inhalation anesthetic, nitrous oxide has a good pain-relieving effect and only a weak narcotic effect. Laughing gas is a short-acting narcotic.
In a nitrous oxide sedation, the gas is inhaled in combination with pure oxygen. The ratio of laughing gas and oxygen is gradually adjusted according to the patient. When the desired sedation is achieved, the procedure is performed.
During the procedure, the composition of the gas mixture can be adjusted at any time. The patient continues to breathe spontaneously and consciousness is “only” attenuated. During the entire procedure the patient is monitored by means of a so-called monitoring system.
The oxygen saturation is measured and the pulse is determined with a so-called pulse oximeter. In addition, the blood pressure is also measured and an ECG is connected if necessary. This monitoring serves to control the sedation and safety.
After completion of the corresponding treatment, the patient inhales pure oxygen again. This is intended to counteract the effect that the oxygen already in the pulmonary alveoli is diluted by the influx of nitrous oxide. The resulting lack of oxygen is prevented by breathing in pure oxygen at the end of the anaesthesia. It usually takes only a few minutes until the patient is fully conscious again after the nitrous oxide supply has ended.
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