Morbidity after outpatient Anaesthesia.

Summary A comparison was made of two anaesthetic techniques for outpatient dental surgery; the basis for comparison was symptomatic morbidity. One group of patients was managed with spontaneous breathing of nitrous oxide, oxygen and halothane; the other was ventilated mechanically, and received fentanyl and alcuronium. The latter anaesthetic was associated with a significantly higher incidence of morbidity on the day of operation, but not subsequently. The incidence of dysrhythmias was not significantly different. The comfort and safety of patients are discussed in relation to the choice of anaesthetic.