Canadian Journal of Anesthesia, Vol 11, 83-87, Copyright © 1964 by Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society

L'Halothane en Obstetrique

¹ Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus, Québec, Canada

During the past four years halothane has been used for obstetrical anaesthesia in the great majority of cases It was cur choice for 3657 deliveries and 138 Caesarean sections, approximately 65 per cent of our confinements and 44 per cent of our Caesareans

The use of this anaesthetic agent began in the early part of 1959 With the advent of the Fluotec vaporizer, mounted on the Boyle apparatus as standard equipment, halothane began to occupy a definite sphere of usefulness in our delivery room

This device was effective in giving us accurate percentages of N₂G, O₂, and halothane, thus making the administration of this gas easy for the trained anaesthetist, and for the residents as well

The hazards of uterine haemorrhage and resuscitation difficulties in the newborn, which were sounded as a warning note in earlier publications, did not occur in the course of our numerous anaesthetics with this agent, and we have no untoward incidents to report with halothane in the course of our present series of cases

In conclusion, we are still of the opinion that halothane is a potent and serviceable agent for obstetrical anaesthesia It is recommended that care be taken never to exceed the optimal level of vapour concentration, in order to avoid cardiovascular collapse or atonia uteri

Undesirable side-effects both for the mother and the foetus were minimal, and compared very favourably with those of the other anaesthetic agents

Note:

Présenté à la réunion de la Societé Canadienne d'Anesthesie, Division de Québec, le 9 mars 1963