Canadian Journal of Anesthesia, Vol 11, 182-189, Copyright © 1964 by Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society

Methoxyflurane Evaluation Clinique

¹ Service d Anesthesie Hôpital Ste Jeanne d Arc Montreal P Q

One thousand cases of anaesthesia with methoxyflurane, 500 cases in surgery and 500 cases in obstetrics, have been reported In surgery, we have used a standard technique and have studied the incidence of side-effects during induction, maintenance, and recovery In obstetrics, the technique was also standard technique have studied the incidence of side-effects of methoxyflurane on both the mother and the child

In suigical procedures, we have attempted to use a technique of light anaesthesia allowing for a rapid induction arid a rapid recovery. Our statistics show that undesirable reactions were infrequent and that the blood pressure could be maintained within normal limits The incidence of tiypotensive reactions was directly proportional to the amount of methoxyflurane administered and the dosage of Pentothal used

It did not appear to us that the postoperative analgesia was as marked as has been noted by certain authors Rather, we believe that patients who awakened rapidly required analgesics exactly as with othet anaesthetic agents However, these patients were calm and did not show any excitement In obstetrics, methoxyfluiane is without any doubt one of the bjest anaesthetic agents that we have use Its properties make it an efficient agent while bemg safe for the mother and for the child Since this paper was written, we have used methoxyfiurane extensively and have further confirmed our opinion that, with experience, it is possible to obtain a reasonably short and smooth induction Moreover, it is possible to avoid long periods of recovery by the use of ower vapour concentrations and by discontinuation of methoxyflurane sufficiently soon before termination of surgery.

Note:

Travail presente a la reunion annuelle de la Societe Candienne des Anesthétistes tenue a Montebello Ie 14 mai 1963