Thiopentone supplemented anaesthesia for neurosurgery.

A technique of anaesthesia for intracranial surgery involving the use of a thiopentone drip as a supplement to nitrous oxide and oxygen was used in 166 patients who were curarized and artificially ventilated. Maintenance of immobility and unconsciousness during the operation was satisfactory. The degree of recovery at the end of operation was acceptable in that nearly 90 per cent were awake and talking, or responding to speech at the conclusion of die procedure. There was an undefined period of amnesia after the patient had apparently regained full consciousness. A few patients were restless in the postoperative period. There were no difficulties with the airway. The intracranial tension during operation was acceptably low.