A comparison of halothane and isoflurane for gaseous induction of anaesthesia in infants

Sixty-four ASA 1 and 2 infants between the ages of 44 weeks postconceptual age and one year presenting for routine, elective surgery were randomly ana esthetized with either 3% halothane in oxygen (Group H) or 5% isoflurane in oxygen (Group I). Patients in Group I took a mean (SD) time of 70.1(13.6)s to loss of eyelash reflex and 80.0 (13.5)s to tolerating the face mask, co mpared with 80.2 (17.7)s and 93.4 (20.5) s in Group H (P=0.028 and 0.0072, respectively). There were no significant differences between the groups for preinduction or induction state, lowest oxygen saturation, or the incidenc e of airway related complications or interventions. This study demonstrates that 5% isoflurane in oxygen induces anaesthesia in infants more quickly t han 3% halothane in oxygen, without any increase in the incidence or severi ty of airway-related complications.