[Postoperative responsiveness following halothane- or enflurane-anaesthesia for short operative procedures (author's...

A comparative study was carried out on 139 patients, divided into eight groups. Either halothane or enflurane were given as inhalational agent, and for induction either Trapanal or Brevimytal were given. Some groups received a standard premedication, other not. The post-operative level of consciousness, responsiveness and motor performance were assessed, and venous halothane/enflurane levels measured. No marked differences were found in the level of consciousness, responsiveness, or motor performance, between the halothane and enflurane groups. The respective plasma levels of halothane and enflurane were practically identical at corresponding time intervals of measurement. In those groups which were not premedicated, no difference could be found following induction with either Trapanal or Brevimytal. In the premedicated groups those patients who had been given Brevimytal woke earlier, and showed a greater degree of responsiveness.