Halothane versus isoflurane for short ENT procedures with spontaneous respiration in children

This study compares halothane with isoflurane for short ENT procedures performed under spontaneous breathing in 80 children. Monitoring included ECG, arterial pressure, PECO2 and respiratory rate. Induction, maintenance and recovery durations were recorded. Induction time was further subdivided into an initial phase followed by a plateau according to delivered halogen concentrations. Inhalation induction was possible with isoflurane without major side effects as long as the drug concentration was increased slowly. This precaution was not needed with halothane. No respiratory depression could be attributed to either of the tested drugs. Isoflurane elicited a significant drop in arterial pressure with a concomitant increase in heart rate. Recovery times were shorter in the isoflurane group.