CLINICAL STUDIES OF INDUCTION AGENTS XII: THE INFLUENCE OF SOME PREMEDICANTS ON THE COURSE AND SEQUELAE OF PROPANIDID ANAESTHESIA

Abstract

Studies were carried out using propanidid-nitrous oxide-oxygen as anaesthesia for minor gynaecological operations with varying premedicants. Commonly used antiemetics—hyoscine, cyclizine and promethazine—increased the incidence and severity of excitatory phenomena to an intolerable degree. This was accompanied by a great increase in propanidid dosage as compared with a control series premedicated with atropine alone. Despite this large dosage hypotension was infrequent and return of consciousness prompt. Morphine and pethidine potentiated propanidid by decreasing the total requirements of anaesthetic, but their use was followed by a great increase in vomiting and nausea. Although the other premedicants reduced the emetic sequelae, their use before propanidid is not recommended.