Low flow anesthesia is a technique used in anesthesia administration to conserve medical gases and minimize environmental impact while ensuring patient safety and comfort. The key principles of low flow anesthesia include:

Low flow anesthesia differs from high flow anesthesia, where high rates of fresh gas flow are delivered to the patient, typically exceeding the patient's minute ventilation. In high flow anesthesia, exhaled gases are not rebreathed, leading to higher consumption of medical gases and increased environmental impact. Additionally, high flow anesthesia may require larger gas cylinders and result in higher costs associated with gas usage.

In summary, low flow anesthesia optimizes gas delivery, minimizes waste, and promotes efficiency while providing safe and effective anesthesia care to patients undergoing surgical procedures.