Effects of inhalation anaesthetic agents on the electrical and mechanical activity of the rat duodenum.

Sleep doses of halothane (4%), enflurane (2%) and diethyl ether (10%) were administered to fasting rats. Duodenal mechanical and electrical activities were recorded using miniature extraluminal strain gauges and silver/silver chloride bipolar electrodes. Halothane abolished, or significantly reduced, phase III activity of the migrating myo-electric complex whereas enflurane abolished phase II activity but failed to reduce phase III. Ether was associated with periods of intense activity throughout anaesthesia and this activity persisted after recovery of consciousness. All anaesthetic agents caused a marked slowing of the basic electrical rhythm.