Nitrous Oxide in 2010: Who Will Have the Last Laugh? (Part 2)

Abstract

As has been alluded to in the first part of this series, nitrous oxide (N2O) is not the known quantity many of us think it is. It appears to be becoming “scientific fashion†among many anaesthetists to view nitrous oxide as an “anaesthetic untouchable†or, at best, a “second rate citizenâ€. I wish to re-examine this conventional wisdom and see how much of it still holds true. In part two of this three part series, the ENIGMA trial will critically appraised, as will nitrous oxide’s claimed haematological, immunological, neurological, cardiovascular, and respiratory effects. Its influence on postoperative nausea and vomiting will also be evaluated.