A comparative assessment of alfathesin for use in outpatient anaesthesia.

Alfathesin and thiopentone were compared in a double blind study where each drug was given by intravenous infusion supplemented with fentanyl and nitrous oxide, in 54 healthy female patients under-going therapeutic abortion. The two drugs were similar in terms of changes in cardiorespiratory variables, side effects, clinical efficacy, and patient acceptability. Alfathesin produced a significantly more rapid recovery from anaesthesia, without the high incidence of dreams found with thiopentone in this study. Alfathesin would seem to be the preferable drug for use in outpatients undergoing minor surgical operations.