Anaesthetic induction of caesarean section with thiopentone, methohexitone and ketamine

Thiopentone (3,5 mg/kg) was compared with methohexitone (1 mg/kg) and 'low-dose' ketamine (1 mg/kg) for induction of obstetric anaesthesia. Anaesthesia was maintained with gas, oxygen, muscle relaxant and 0.6% enflurane. Fetal oxygenation was superior with thiopentone, but blood gas/acid base status was otherwise comparable among the different agents. Methohexitone and low-dose ketamine appear to offer reasonable alternatives to thiopentone for anaesthetic induction at caesarean section.