The influence of additional nitrous oxide during rapid anesthetic induction with sevoflurane.

In this study, a vital capacity rapid inhalation induction technique was used, and 4.5% sevoflurane in 100% oxygen and with 66% nitrous oxide in oxygen were compared. Each anesthetic gas was used on a group of 17 unpre-medicated volunteers. The induction time of sevoflurane in nitrous oxide with oxygen and sevoflurane in oxygen were 55±10 s and 81±22 s (SD), respectively, (P<0.05). Notable cardiovascular instability was not observed in either group. Serious complications such as laryngospasm, breath holding, and excessive salivation were not observed in either group. In conclusion, the addition of nitrous oxide to sevoflurane in oxygen is a useful technique because there were no increases in complications during the accelerated rapidity of induction.