DIGITAL VASODILATATION: A SIGN OF ANAESTHESIA

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Abstract
The effects of pethidine, droperidol, fentanyl, nitrous oxide, halothane and methoxy-flurane on the alpha-vasoconstrictor reaction to abdominal surgery have been studied by means of volume-pulse digital plethysmography. Halothane was the only drug studied which consistently protected patients from the reflex vasoconstriction caused by surgical stimuli of all degrees of severity. Digital vasodilatation may be regarded as a sign of unconsciousness in curarized patients lightly anaesthetized with halothane with or without nitrous oxide. The onset of digital vasoconstriction indicates inadequate anaesthesia and the possibility of consciousness in curarized normocapnic patients who are apparently anaesthetized with these agents.

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