[Modification of postoperative somnolence following halothane anesthesia by physostigmine]

In a prospective study the influence on awakening after halothane anaesthesia of physostigmine was investigated. Of a total of 62 patients 29 received physostigmine 2 mg i.v. prior to extubation, 33 were left without. The degree of awareness in the patients was determined by Erzigkeit's "Syndrom-Kurz-Test" (Quick Syndrome Test) (SKT). On preoperative testing by SKT both groups showed comparable degrees of awareness. At 45 and 90 min after extubation no statistical differences in the SKT were seen between the groups. If broken up for age over or below 60 yr, a tendency towards improved alertness in patients younger than 60 yr in the physostigmine group is apparent despite a slightly poorer performance preoperatively. In contrast in treated sexagenarians protracted awakening was observed. We tentatively conclude that central reactions to physostigmine in our patients were age-related.