INHALATION ANESTHESIA AT THE EXTREMES OF AGE - GERIATRIC ANESTHESIA

No single anaesthetic technique is superior for all elderly patients, although the prognosis is improved if minor surgical procedures are pe rformed with local anaesthesia rather than with general or major regio nal anaesthesia. If general anaesthesia is required, which specific in halation anaesthetic can improve the prognosis of the geriatric patien t? The low solubility of desflurane and its resistance to biodegradati on would seem to recommend its use in the geriatric patient. However, these theoretical advantages remain to be adequately documented.