British journal of anaesthesia
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Spinal actions of halogenated ethers are widely recognized, whereas spinal actions of intravenous anaesthetics like propofol are less clear. The aim of this study was to compare the spinal effects of propofol and sevoflurane. ⋯ Sevoflurane produces large inhibitory effects on nociceptive and non-nociceptive reflexes which are likely to contribute to immobility during surgery. Compared with sevoflurane, propofol appears to have much weaker effects on spinal reflexes such as those recorded in an isolated preparation.