Effects of rapid inhalation induction with sevoflurane-oxygen anesthesia on epidural pressure in humans.

In this study, we chose sevoflurane as the volatile anesthetic for rapid inhalation induction (RII) and investigated its usefulness. We also assessed how RII with sevoflurane affected epidural pressure, and compared RII with rapid intravenous induction by thiopental on epidural pressure. The results were as follows: RII with 5% sevoflurane had a shorter induction time compared with published results on RII with other volatile anesthetics like halothane and isoflurane, and was accompanied by fewer complications. When RII with sevoflurane was attempted, epidural pressure increased significantly upon exhalation to residual volume just before induction and during laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation compared with the preinduction value. There was induction methods during laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation. Epidural pressure measurements are reportedly useful in monitoring intracranial pressure. Consequently, in patients with increased intracranial pressure, exhaling to residual volume and increasing arterial blood pressure during laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation should be avoided. The results of this study suggest that RII with 5% sevoflurane in itself is safe and useful, and that it is unlikely to increase intracranial pressure as compared with rapid intravenous induction by thiopental.