Abstract
Propanidid, a new intravenous anaesthetic derived from eugenol, has been employed for dental anaesthesia in 302 unpremedicated patients. In about half the patients propanidid was used as the sole anaesthetic agent; a dose of 5 to 7 mg/kg (depending on type of patient and number and ease of extractions) generally allowed satisfactory extraction of a few teeth. Recovery of consciousness, orientation and ambulation were rapid. In patients requiring extraction of larger numbers of teeth and in some patients in whom propanidid alone proved inadequate, nitrous oxide and oxygen supplementation was administered following the intravenous induction, and this provided adequate operating conditions except in “resistant” patients in whom a volatile supplement was necessary. The advantages and shortcomings of this new agent are detailed.