[Prolongated amnesia after "rohypnol" i.v. before local anesthesia and responsiveness during operation (author's...

An up-to-eight-hour lasting anterograde amnesia is achieved by "Rohypnol" i.v. causing no excitation before local anesthesia is given (prolongation by analgetics, anesthetics, neuroleptics). The cardiovascular functions remain stable with spontaneous breathing and preservation of the swallow and coughing reflexes. During the operation the patient is responsive and cooperative. The patient answers all questions, moves his body into any wanted position and when ordered he performs Valsalva's manoeuver without any remembrane. If not spoken to and having no pain he falls asleep right away. Postoperative vomiting is reduced. The patient feels relaxed after waking up. No complications have been noticed during more than 500 operations. The later questioning of all patients showed only 4 patients (with unsufficient preoperative sedation) who could remember part of the terminal phase of the operation.