Isoflurane and halothane for outpatient dental anaesthesia in children

A trial was undertaken in children to compare the use of halothane and isoflurane in outpatient dental anaesthesia. A wholly inhalation technique was chosen and nitrous oxide in oxygen was delivered from a Boyle's machine via a coaxial (Bain) breathing system and was supplemented with either halothane or isoflurane. Isoflurane produced significantly fewer arrhythmias than halothane but the induction of anaesthesia took longer and proved more difficult.