Canadian Journal of Anesthesia, Vol 4, 259-264, Copyright © 1957 by Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society

Fluothane for Paediatric Anaesthesia

¹ Department of Anaesthesia, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada

Fluothane was administered to 300 patients ranging in age from 5 hours to 18 years, and in weight from 5.5 to 184 pounds. It was used in all types of operations, either alone or in combination with all other agents in routine use.

All inhalation techniques other than closed were used. The preferred method of administration was by means of a "Fluotec" vaporizer, but other standard types of vaporizers and open drop methods were satisfactory.

Unconsciousness could be produced rapidly and smoothly, without laryngospasm or vomiting.

Good first and reasonably satisfactory second plane surgical anaesthesia could be produced. For deeper planes of anaesthesia supplementation by other agents was preferred to the use of greater concentrations of Fluothane.

A rapid return of a clear sensorium, even after prolonged anaesthesia, was a dominant feature of the recovery period. Nausea and vomiting were minimal.

The side effects noted were marked myosis, decrease in salivation, decrease in cardiac rate with increasing depth of anaesthesia, absence of sweating, and frequent tearing. Hypotensive effects were infrequent and not severe.

Fluothane is an excellent hypnotic, a good analgesic, but only a moderate relaxant. The extreme potency of the agent recommends it for use by the qualified anaesthetist only.

Note:

Fluothane used in this study was supplied by Ayerst, McKenna and Harrison Ltd., through the courtesy of Dr. Leighton Smith.