Alfentanil in short procedures. A comparison with halothane using etomidate or methohexitone for induction of anaesthesia.

Ninety patients, premedicated with temazepam 20 mg, undergoing suction termination of pregnancy, were studied. Forty patients received alfentanil (500 micrograms), and thirty halothane (1.5%) as supplements to either etomidate or methohexitone-nitrous oxide-oxygen anaesthesia. A further 20 patients received alfentanil 250 micrograms at induction of anaesthesia with methohexitone, followed by a further 250 micrograms immediately prior to the onset of surgery. Recovery was assessed by the time patients took to open eyes on command, to giving their correct date of birth, and to performing the 'p' deletion test. Satisfactory operating conditions were not obtained with the combination of etomidate and halothane. Faster recovery was seen in patients with either etomidate or methohexitone and receiving alfentanil (p less than 0.01) Testing by the 'p' deletion test showed impaired psychomotor performance at 30 minutes after cessation of anaesthesia in all groups compared with the pre-operative scores. Side effects leading to unsatisfactory anaesthesia were more frequent in patients who had received etomidate (p less than 0.01).