Cardiovascular changes during general anaesthesia: for dental surgery. A prospective study of five different anaesthetic techniques.

A prospective study of 79 fit young adults who underwent oral dental surgery was undertaken with five different anaesthetic techniques. Anaesthesia was commenced with methohexitone or flunitrazepam, muscle relaxants, and cuffed nasal intubation, and anaesthesia was maintained with 50% nitrous oxide, 50% oxygen, halothane or fentanyl with or without intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV). Six of the 33 patients who received methohexitone and halothane developed dangerous dysrhythmias. Flunitrazepam, IPPV, adequate analgesia and anaesthesia provide maximum cardiovascular stability.