The Time Factor in Anesthesia

¹ Associate Professor of Anesthesiology, The Chicago Medical School.

Light anesthesia with the common anesthetic agents does not significantly interfere with the homeostatic mechanisms, nor does it depress the myocardium. The same is true for adequate amounts of muscle relaxant agents. Problems of respiratory physiology and blood replacement are well understood. Thus, practically limitless operating time can be afforded the surgeon. Therefore, no undue pressure should be exerted on the anesthesiologist limiting the time allotted for induction and intubation.

Various dangers inherent in the method of rapid intubation are pointed out and discussed.

Intermittent intravenous injection of the barbiturate and addition of small amounts of potent inhalant anesthetic agents for intubation in a slightly deeper plane of anesthesia are recommended. This would avoid those rapid changes of circulatory dynamics which are encountered when using the "gun shot" method of induction and intubation.