Selecting anesthetic agents for human safety and animal recovery surgery.

This review provides information to scientists performing animal surgery with recommendations for choosing an appropriate anesthetic agent. The human health risks from exposure to various anesthetic agents as well as methods to minimize exposure are discussed. In brief, methoxyflurane, used with precautions, is recommended for rodent bench-top surgery. When a precision vaporizer is available, isoflurane is usually the agent of choice. Other agents, including injectables, are considered.