Der Anaesthesist
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Apgar status and acid base balance of 206 neonates, delivered by caesarean section under general anaesthesia, were investigated in order to compare the possible effects of either thiopentone- or ketamine-induction on the postpartum adaption. Several other criteria were recorded also, for instance, a possible neonatal asphyxia, the induction-delivery-interval, the maternal age, the administration of other than anaesthetic drugs etc. There were not correlations between the Apgar status and the induction-delivery interval in either groups. ⋯ The blood gas values and the acid base parameters did not show a statistically significant difference between the pH of the thiopentone- and the ketamine-neonates. These differences can be explained as the combination of the nonsignificant changes in PCO2 and standard-bicarbonate values. As far as can be judged from the above mentioned criteria it may be deduced that ketamine or thiopentone can equally well be used for inducation of anaesthesia for caesarean section.
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In young patients with healthy lungs, the effects of ethrane and halothane on compliance and resistance have been investigated. With the use of ethrane we found a dose-dependent decrease in compliance, but this decrease was statistically assured only at relatively high inhalation concentrations. ⋯ The decrease in compliance induced by both anesthetic agents may be due either to interference with the surface tension of the alveolar wall, or to transitory changes in the fluid content of the pulmonary parenchyma. For the practical use of ethrane and halothane no significant differences appear to exist on the basis of their effects on compliance and resistance.