Etomidate infusion in thoracic anaesthesia.

An etomidate infusion was used in the place of nitrous oxide during one lung anaesthesia for 40 patients undergoing thoracic surgery. Analgesia was provided by fentanyl. A mixture of oxygen and air was used to maintain arterial oxygen tension within normal limits despite one lung anaesthesia and enabled the use of nitrous oxide to be avoided in several patients who had lung cysts. Recovery was fairly rapid (mean (SEM) 11.5 (1.4) minutes). There was no incidence of awareness or dreams. This technique provides satisfactory anaesthesia and oxygenation during thoracic surgery when one lung only is being ventilated.