ABSTRACT : To investigate the effect of N2O on induction time for SBVC-HC sevoflurane induction in children

METHODS : Eighty unpremedicated, ASA I and II children, aged 5–15 yr having elective surgical procedures under general anaesthesia, were recruited and randomized to: Group A: 8% sevoflurane in O2 6 litre/ min and Group B: 8% sevoflurane in N2O 4 litre /min and O2 2 litre /min. The primary outcome was the time to ‘loss of eyelash reflex’. The time to return of ‘regular respiration’ and ‘conjugate gaze’ were also noted

RESULTS : Baseline characteristics were similar in both Groups A and B The ‘time to loss of eyelash reflex’ and the loss was significantly shorter for the nitrous group and it was statistically significant. Changes in vital signs such as SAP, HR and SpO2after induction did not differ significantly between the two groups

CONCLUSIONS : We found that the high concentration sevoflurane technique is more pleasant, effective, affords easy cannulation and well-accepted even in uncooperative children. The addition of N2O resulted in less excitation and faster induction times.