Intravenous short narcoses in geriatric patients, A comparative study of etomidate with various analgesics.

Because of their often complicated pathology, geriatric patients may present special problems to the anesthetist. Whereas the hazards of surgery have been diminished through specific pre- and posttreatment, the so-called short narcosis has failed as yet to fulfill the requirements of maximum safety for the patient. In our study, two potent analgesics, i.e. fentanyl or pentazocine are associated with the narcotic etomidate for short narcosis. The effects either combination has on cardiovascular or respiratory values during unassisted ventilation are studied. Both the fentanyl/etomidate combination and the pentazocine/etomidate combination are characterized by stable cardiovascular conditions. The unfavourable effect on spontaneous respiration is greater after fentanyl as compared with pentazocine. Combined anesthesia of pentazocine and etomidate remains safe an easy to perform when the patient breathes spontaneously. If fentanyl is used, assisted respiration with oxygen is required.