Anaesthesia for Caesarean section. Analysis of blood concentrations of methoxyflurane using 0.1 per cent methoxyflurane and 40 per cent oxygen.

In fifteen mothers undergoing elective Caesarean section methoxyflurane 0.1 per cent vapour was added before the birth of the infant to a mixture of 40 per cent oxygen and 60 per cent nitrous oxide. Analysis of uptake and excretion of methoxyflurane was performed. Prompt recovery of consciousness occurred at the end of the procedure. In none of the mothers was there evidence of awareness during the procedure. There was no relationship between the Apgar score of the infants at one minute after delivery and the umbilical vein methoxyflurane concentration at delivery, and no evidence that methoxyflurane supplementation was responsible for foetal depression in this series.