Rectal methohexitone induction in pediatric outpatients: physostigmine does not enhance recovery.

Rectal methohexitone (25 mg X kg-1) was used to induce anaesthesia in 15 unpremedicated children scheduled to undergo bilateral myringotomies as outpatients. Induction time ranged from 4 to 11 minutes. In the recovery room, all children received a slow intravenous injection of physostigmine (60 micrograms X kg-1), or saline in a double blind randomized fashion. The use of physostigmine did not significantly decrease the recovery room stay as compared to placebo (34 vs. 43 minutes). Vomiting and soiling were two side-effects associated with the use of physostigmine.