Isoflurane as an alternative to halothane for caesarean section.
Two series of 25 patients who underwent elective Caesarean section with general anaesthesia were given either 0.75% isoflurane or 0.5% halothane as supplements to 50% nitrous oxide in oxygen used for maintenance. The potent inhalational agent was given for the entire operative period and no case of intra-operative dreaming or awareness was reported. The infusion dose of suxamethonium was significantly less with isoflurane, 50 micrograms/kg/minute (SD 17), as compared to halothane, 64 micrograms/kg/minute (SD 24) (p less than 0.02). Recovery from anaesthesia was more rapid with isoflurane. The surgeon's assessment of uterine relaxation and bleeding using a visual analogue score indicated that this was significantly less with isoflurane. Infant well-being as judged by Apgar score and cord blood gas analysis, showed little difference between the two inhalational agents.
Ghaly
R G
RG
Department of Anaesthetics, Queen's University of Belfast.
Flynn
R J
RJ
Moore
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical; D001034:Apgar Score; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D006221:Halothane; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007530:Isoflurane; D011247:Pregnancy
D007530:Isoflurane; D006221:Halothane