Low-dose enflurane does not increase blood loss during therapeutic abortion

Abstract

Despite the fact that enflurance is known to relax uterine muscle, we have shown that enflurane can be used safely for patients undergoing therapeutic abortion, in that it does not increase blood loss when compared to a nitrous oxide/narcotic technique. The use of enflurane in low concentrations as an anesthetic for this outpatient procedure is advantageous because it obviates the need for narcotics or large doses of thiopental. It thus may allow more rapid recovery from anesthesia and, although not examined in this study, earlier discharge from the hospital.