ANESTHESIA WITHOUT TEARS

Rectal induction of anaesthesia is a useful method but is not widely u sed in South Africa. We studied the onset of action and side-effects o f 1% methohexitone administered rectally in a dose of 20 mg/kg to 110 preschool children. Ninety-one per cent were adequately sedated for in halation induction by mask within 10 minutes, and all by 15 minutes, o f drug administration. There was no evidence of significant cardiovasc ular or respiratory depression and only minor complications such as fa ecal soiling (11,8%) and hiccough (3,6%) were noted. The technique has been favourably received by parents, surgeons and nursing staff and h as now become routine practice.