Abstract
Pentazocine was used as an alternative for fentanyl in combination with droperidol in neuroleptanesthesia and the results were compared with those of the ordinary techniques using droperidol and fentanyl or Thalamonal®. This modified technique proved to have advantages such as smooth induction of anesthesia, cardiovascular stability during surgery, rapid recovery of consciousness and postoperative tranquility, which were comparable to those of the ordinary techniques. Pentazocine caused less respiratory depression than fentanyl. Moreover, this technique was convenient for clinical practice, because the analgesic drug used was not narcotic. The longer duration of action of pentazocine appeared to be disadvantageous for the controllability of anesthesia, but it was considered to outweight the drawback in view of postoperative pain relief. The data of experimental studies also supported the clinical results. Pentazocine seemed to be a suitable alternative for fentanyl as a component of neuroleptanesthesia.
