This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by CROMARTIE, R. S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by CROMARTIE, R. S., III

Rapid Anesthesia Induction in Combat Casualties with Full Stomachs

*Senior Resident, Department of Surgery, Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112.

Abstract

A series of 50 combat-injured patients given crash intubation for rapid induction of anesthesia is presented. The technic consisted of injection of 3 mg of d-tubocurarine and 0.4 mg of atropine IV, preoxygenation by face mask for 3 minutes, and then injection of sodium thiopental or ketamine, followed immediately by 60 to 80 mg of succinylcholine IV. Intubation was performed with a cuffed tube after cessation of spontaneous respirations and relaxation of the jaw. In the entire series there was no vomiting or aspiration on induction. Thirty-six patients were induced with thiopental and 14 with ketamine. Three patients given thiopental and 2 given ketamine had a fall in blood pressure to below 100 torr systolic. The average BP change was in a positive direction with both agents.