METHOXYFLURANE IN MAJOR ORAL SURGERY BY V. GOLDMAN AND P. B. HARDWICK SUMMARY A series of cases undergoing major oral surgery such as mandibular osteotomy or ostectomy is described, using methoxyflurane as the main anaesthetic agent with nitrous

The use of methoxyflurane (Penthrane) as an anaesthetic agent has not been popular in this country for a number of reasons. Foremost among these have been the prolonged induction time (Thomason, Wright and Holaday, 1962) and the delayed rate of recovery (Campbell, Hvolboll and Brechner, 1962), both due to the low vapour pressure and blood solubility of this agent. Because of its high lipoid solubility, however, methoxyflurane is a potent and good analgesic drug and has been used in obstetrics for this sole reason (Major, Rosen and Mushin, 1966). In consequence of the lengthy induction time, its main use is limited to long surgical procedures, but its delayed time of recovery and sustained analgesic properties make it a suitable drug for use in cases in which these are desirable effects.