Canadian Journal of Anesthesia, Vol 4, 187-206, Copyright © 1957 by Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society

Clinical Experience with Fluothane®, A New Non-Explosive Anaesthetic Agent

¹ Department of Anesthesiology, Vancouver General Hospital and University of British Columbia, Vancouver 9, British Columbia

A series of 310 cases is presented in which Fluothane® has been administered, using both the closed and semi-closed techniques.

The chief advantages of Fluothane® are:

1. Non-explosibility.

2. Can be used in the presence of soda lime.

3. Non-irritating to breathe.

4. Diminished salivary and bronchial secretions.

5. Diminished bleeding without the need for extreme hypotension.

6. Can be used as a reversible hypotensive agent.

7. Allows respiration to be readily controlled.

8. Moderately rapid recovery.

9. Low incidence of postoperative vomiting.

10. Low incidence of postoperative hypotension and shock.

The chief disadvantages are:

1. Cardiovascular depression, often of severe degree.

2. Respiratory depression with moderately light anaesthesia. Apnoea with deeper planes.

3. Frequently causes cardiac arrhythmias.

4. Relaxation generally only moderate.

5. Incompatible with epinephrine and norepinepirine.

Note:

Fluothane® was supplied by Ayerst, McKenna & Harrison Limited, Montreal, Canada.

Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Anaesthetists' Society, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, June 24–26, 1957.