Effect of halothane exposure on motor skills & memory in anaesthetists

In a prospective study involving 24 anaesthesia residents, each resident was assessed three times i.e., first as control group, not exposed to anaesthesia at all; the second group in which the resident was exposed to anaesthesia while using controlled respiration with closed circuit without halothane (non-halothane group) and the third group in which they were exposed to anaesthesia using spontaneous respiration with semiclosed circuit using halothane (halothane group). After each exposure of 3-4 h duration in each group, the resident was subjected to specific psychological tests to assess motor skills and memory. In the non-halothane group, a depression of motor skills by 5.51 per cent and of memory by 17.14 per cent was observed. In the halothane group, the reduction of motor skills was up to 27 per cent and of memory by 45 per cent as compared to the control values. It is concluded that 3-4 h exposure to halothane (1.5-4%) obtunds the motor skills and memory in anaesthetists.