[Spontaneous and provoked nystagmus as a criterion of the duration of effect of hypnotics and narcotics in ambulant surgery (author's transl)].

A testing of usefulness of systematic search for spontaneous and provoked nystagmus relative to the duration of effect of several hypnotics and narcotics showed in 83% positive vestibular findings in 150 non-selected, ear sound patients. Vestibular nystagmus was still detected 2 hour p.o. in 74%, 3 hours p.o. in 30% and 4 hours p.o. in 7% of cases. 78 times (52%) a convergent or divergent posture nystagmus was recorded and 47 times (31%) a vertical nystagmus. The subjective sensations of the test persons are out of proportion to the objective findings. The localisation of the pharmacotoxic lesion is discussed.