Entonox for casualties at 1000 m: use of nitrous oxide analgesia in Nigeria at moderate altitude.

Analgesia with nitrous oxide and oxygen (Entonox) has been found to give adequate pain relief for 90 minor casualty procedures in over 90% of cases at moderate altitude. It was self administered except in six patients. Children between 6 and 10 years of age comprised 14% of patients, and the majority of the remainder were young adults. Additional analgesia was required in 11 patients, with no increase in complications. Complications were few; drowsiness occurred in 9%, dizziness was troublesome in one patient, but there was no nausea or vomiting and no one became unconscious. In situations where trained personnel are scarce, and where supervision can only be given at the time of the procedure and even at moderate altitudes Entonox is a clinically effective safe analgesic.