[Clopheline as a component of general anesthesia during surgery in elderly and aged patients]

Clopheline (2-3 micrograms/kg; 2-2.2 micrograms/kg in weak patients) as a component of premedication, for the induction to anesthesia, and in combined endotracheal anesthesia as an analgesic and vegetostabilizing agent has been used in 150 patients, aged 60 to 85 years during planned and emergency surgery. Reduced doses of barbiturates (3 mg/kg) and fentanyl (1.5-2.1 micrograms/kg for the induction to anesthesia and 0.5-0.67 micrograms/kg for analgesia maintenance) were used. At certain stages use was made of droperidol, beginning with a test dose 1.25 mg and not exceeding 5 mg during surgery. The use of clopheline in this category of patients ensures neurovegetative inhibition adequate to the operation stress. In 80% of patients favourable hemodynamic changes have been observed. 20% of patients require droperidol administration at a dose 1.25-5 mg during surgery. Due to low doses, the risk of complication associated with the use of narcotic analgesics in elderly and old patients is reduced considerably.