[The course of the catecholamine excretion during combination anaesthesia with halothane and thalamonal (author's...

On 10 patients who had to undergo a ca. 4 hour operation of the lower abdominal region, the pattern of catecholamine excretion before, during and after operation was traced. 1. A decrease of systolic blood pressure on average of 80 mm Hg, in correlation to the concentration of Halothane and Thalamonal, was recorded. 2. The excretion of adrenaline and noradrenalin was significantly lower during anaesthesia as compared with the initial value, suggesting a depression of sympathoadrenal system. 3. The postoperative amount of adrenaline and especially noradrenaline increased markedly, when anaesthesia worn off, postoperative shivering started, and surgical wounds caused pain. 4. The excretion of urine during operation was slightly reduced, the renal output showed normal amounts, when calculated up to 24 hours. The results show, that the combined use of halothane an thalamonal because of its depressant effects on the sympathoadrenal system is capable of reducing the liberation of catecholamines during anaesthesia.