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## Inhalation Anesthetic Agents | Agent | Administration | Advantages | Disadvantages...

## Inhalation Anesthetic Agents | Agent | Administration | Advantages | Disadvantages | Implications/Considerations | |--------------------|-----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | **Volatile Liquids** | | | | | | Halothane | Inhalation; special vaporizer | Not explosive or flammable; Induction rapid and smooth; Useful in almost every type of surgery; Low incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting | Requires skillful administration to prevent overdose; May cause liver damage; May produce hypotension; Requires special vaporizer for administration; Respiratory depression may develop rapidly, along with electrocardiogram abnormalities; Not compatible with epinephrine; A profound respiratory depressant | In addition to observation of pulse and respiration postoperatively, blood pressure must be monitored frequently | | Enflurane | Inhalation | Rapid induction and recovery; Potent analgesic agent; Not explosive or flammable | Coughing and laryngospasm; trigger for malignant hyperthermia | Observe for possible respiratory depression. Administration with epinephrine may cause ventricular fibrillation; Monitor respirations closely, support when necessary, and monitor for malignant hyperthermia | | Isoflurane | Inhalation | Rapid induction and recovery; Muscle relaxants are markedly potentiated | Respiratory irritation; trigger for malignant hyperthermia | Monitor for malignant hyperthermia | | Sevoflurane | Inhalation | Rapid induction and excretion; minimal side effects | | Monitor for malignant hyperthermia and arrhythmias | | Desflurane | Inhalation | Rapid induction and emergence; rare organ toxicity | | | | **Gases** | | | | | | Nitrous oxide (N2O) | Inhalation (semiclosed method) | Induction and recovery rapid; Nonflammable; Useful with oxygen for short procedures; Useful with other agents for all types of surgery; Can increase O2 available to tissues | Poor relaxant; Weak anesthetic; May produce hypoxia | Most useful in conjunction with other agents with longer action; Monitor for chest pain, nausea and vomiting, hypertension, and stroke | | Oxygen (O2) | Inhalation | | High concentrations are hazardous | Increased fire risk when used with lasers |