Althesin for neuroanaesthesia

Althesin was used as a induction agent then diluted and administered as a controlled infusion for 60 patients undergoing 66 procedures. Increment doses of fentanyl were given to provide additional analgesia. There was delayed awakening in 7 patients (12.1%), 3 of whom responded rapidly to narcotic reversal with naloxone. Intracerebral pathology and surgical trauma contributed to the slow recovery in the other 4 patients. Evidence is presented that Althesin infusions reduce the narcotic requirement. Althesin anaesthesia provides good neurosurgical conditions without delay in recovery.