Sufentanil and nitrous oxide anaesthesia for the recording of transcranial magnetic motor evoked potentials in dogs

Transcranial magnetic motor evoked potentials were recorded from the extensor carpi radialis muscle of the forelimbs and from the cranial tibial muscle of the hindlimbs of anaesthetised dogs. The dogs were premedicated with droperidol and fentanyl and a light plane of anaesthesia was induced and maintained with sufentanil and nitrous oxide. The potentials recorded under sufentanil and nitrous oxide anaesthesia were suppressed in comparison with baseline recordings under droperidol and fentanyl sedation: their latencies were significantly increased and their amplitudes significantly decreased (P