Recovery after single-breath halothane induction of anaesthesia in daycase patients. A comparison with thiopentone.

A single-breath technique of inhalational induction of anaesthesia allows intravenous induction agents to be avoided. We have investigated recovery from anaesthesia in 40 daycase patients, using tests of psychomotor function. Patients anaesthetised with inhalational induction awaken earlier than those who receive thiopentone, but not significantly earlier. There were no significant differences in postoperative psychomotor function between patients who received thiopentone and those who had inhalational inductions. Single-breath halothane, nitrous-oxide, oxygen induction is an alternative to intravenous induction in cooperative adults, but does not confer significant benefits in terms of recovery.