The use of anesthetic drugs to reduce ICP changes in head-injured patients.

Chest physiotherapy causes increases in intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with severe head injuries. In mechanically hyperventilated severe head injuries (PaCO2 3.3 - 4 kPa) 50% nitrous oxide in 50% oxygen exacerbated ICP increases associated with chest physiotherapy, while thiopentone and Althesin reduced these changes in ICP.