[Therapy of alcohol withdrawal delirium with a new hypnotic]

The treatment of alcohol withdrawal symptoms which suddenly appear after an operation, is discussed. Therapy with etomidate as long term sedation is described. 500 mg of etomidate (125 mg circumflex or equal to 1 ml) soluted in 50 ml physiological saline was given by perfusor (0.6 - 0.8 mg/kg b.w./h). Therapy-time lasted from 48 - 56 hours. The influence on respiration, circulation and laboratory report was investigated. We discuss the comparison in the advantage and disadvantage of this therapy to other medications.