CLINICAL EXPERIENCE WITH FLUETHER ANESTHESIA.

Fluether, an azeotropic mixture of two volumes of Fluothane(R) and one volume of diethyl ether, will provide satisfactory surgical anesthesia in a range of vapor concentration from 0.5 per cent v/v to 4.0 per cent v/v. The agent was used in all age groups and in all patient physical states in approximately a thousand cases. To date there have appeared no contraindications to the use of fluether anesthesia. Bradycardia is common during induction but is easily reversible by use of belladonna compounds. During maintenance of anesthesia, significant muscular relaxation is provided, without evidence of electrocortical depression. Respiratory depression accompanies a maintenance level of anesthesia. Recovery after anesthesia with fluether is rapid but tranquil. Considerable analgesia persists during recovery.