A COMPARISON OF THE INDUCTION CHARACTERISTICS OF SEVOFLURANE AND HALOTHANE IN CHILDREN

The indiction characteristics of sevoflurane and halothane were compar ed in 81 children aged 6 months to 6 years. The mean time taken to ach ieve loss of eyelash reflex was significantly shorter with sevoflurane than with halothane (sevoflurane, mean time (SD) 1 min 41 s (35s), ha lothane, mean time (SD) 2 min 17s (43 s), t = 4.11, p = < 0.01). The m ean time taken to complete induction (to achieve steady spontaneous ve ntilation and small pupils with central gaze) was also shorter in chil dren induced with sevoflurane (sevoflurane, mean time (SD) 3 min 58s ( 1 min 8s), halothane, mean time (SD) 4 min 50s, (1 min 27s), t = 2.29, p = 0.027). Effects on heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturati on during induction were similar for both agents. There were no major complications during induction with either halothane or sevoflurane.