[Methohexital for rectal anesthetic induction in children].

To induce anaesthesia, 100 children between 18 months and 7 years of age who had been selected for surgery or invasive diagnosis, received a 10% methohexitone solution in a dosage of 20-30 mg/kg body weight by rectal instillation. The time until onset of sleep, the pulse rate and blood pressure changes, duration of operation, recovery time and any special observations were recorded. Methohexitone concentrations in the plasma were measured in 7 children during rectal induction of anaesthesia. It was found that induction of anaesthesia in children by rectal application of 20-30 mg/kg body weight methohexitone is a safe procedure which does not cause discomfort to the children and is easily handled by the physician. The methohexitone levels in the plasma are not higher than those after intravenous administration.