A comparative study of halothane and enflurane in paediatric outpatient anaesthesia

Two groups of paediatric patients, consisting of 40 patients each, were studied with regard to anaesthesia induction and recovery. Group H was given halothane and Group E received enflurane. The induction time was similar for the two groups. Enflurane had, on average, a shorter recovery time (17 +/- 4 min) than halothane (26 +/- 4min) (P less than 0.05). The mean dose of anaesthetic given, expressed as the product of inspired concentration times minute ventilation, was 2.3 +/- 0.2 1 100% halothane and 2.8 +/- 0.2 1 100% enflurane. If one assumes that the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) value for enflurane twice that of halothane, group E received a less potent anaesthetic dose. This might explain the similar induction times, and, in part, the shorter recovery time for enflurane in this study. No difference was noted between the two agents with regard to post-operative nausea and vomiting or restlessness.