title: Cross-sectional study of complications of inhalational anaesthesia in 16,995 patients.
abstract: Patients undergoing anaesthesia in which halothane, enflurane or isoflurane were used, were surveyed with reference to 16 unwanted effects selected by the nominal group method. A simple record card was completed at the time of anaesthetic administration. The overall incidence of complications was 13.9%. One complication was reported in 10.8% of the cases, and more than one in 3.1%. Complications were more frequent in the obese, the elderly and those patients receiving isoflurane, but in view of the small overall use of this agent, the anaesthetists involved may still have been on a learning curve.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Anaesthetics, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Lew
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Spence
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Elton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000776:Anesthesiology; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004737:Enflurane / Q000009:adverse effects; D006221:Halothane / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000009:adverse effects; D008485:Medical Audit; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D004737:Enflurane; D007530:Isoflurane; D006221:Halothane