Major Anesthetic Themes in the 1970s

  • Rod N. Westhorpe
  • Lawrence j. Saidman
  • Edmond I Eger II
Chapter

Abstract

Increasing anesthesiologist numbers and diversity in the 1970s led to subspecialty societies and journals. Women constituted a rising fraction of anesthesiolgists. The practice of anesthesia became more diverse with an expanding application of outpatient surgery, establishment of regional anesthesia in everyday practice, and a rising use of anesthesia outside the operating room. Our understanding of anesthetic drugs and how to best use them changed. In the US, and to a lesser extent elsewhere, the minimally hepatotoxic enflurane replaced halothane. We explored neuromuscular pharmacokinetics and clinically defined recovery from neuromuscular blockade. Dantrolene treatment of malignant hyperthermia was initiated. We incorrectly thought we might understand how inhaled anesthetics acted. We found opioid receptors in the spinal cord, leading to intrathecal opioid administration to provide analgesia. Patients received opioid analgesia on demand.

Keywords

Anesthesia history History of anesthesia Anesthesia practice in the 1970s Women in anesthesiology Enflurane use Post Operative pain management history 
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Copyright information

© Edmond I Eger, MD 2014

Authors and Affiliations

  • Rod N. Westhorpe
    • 1
  • Lawrence j. Saidman
    • 2
  • Edmond I Eger II
    • 3
  1. 1.MelbourneAustralia
  2. 2.Departments of AnesthesiaStanford UniversityStanfordUSA
  3. 3.Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative CareUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoUSA

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