title: Postoperative ventilatory response to carbon dioxide following neurolept anaesthesia.
abstract: In order to investigate the duration of respiratory depression following neurolept anaesthesia, 21 patients who had hemilaminectomia performed were subjected to ventilation-carbon dioxide response tests by a rebreathing method in the post-operative period. Up to 3 1/2 h after start of anaesthesia all patients had a decreased ventilatory response to carbon dioxide. After this period some patients showed a normal respiratory response, while others remained depressed for up to 6 h, the period for which the investigation lasted. Most patients in the depressed group were premedicated with pethidine. We conclude that additional narcotics are contraindicated for a period of 3 1/2 h following the start of neurolept anaesthesia for surgical procedures lasting 1-2 h, while clinical control is still necessary before administration of additional narcotics within 6 h, especially if narcotics have been used as premedication.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D004329:Droperidol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009458:Neuroleptanalgesia / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010313:Partial Pressure; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects*; D013147:Spirometry
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D004329:Droperidol; D005283:Fentanyl