THE USE OF KETAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE ANAESTHESIA FOR RADIOTHERAPY IN YOUNG CHILDREN

Anaesthesia provided by ketamine hydrochloride was employed on 160 occasions in 10 children undergoing 183 attempted radiotherapy treatments to overcome the difficulties of providing adequate sedation and anaesthesia without the presence of the anaesthetist inside the irradiation area. Ketamine was found to be safe, satisfactory and predictable, lasting for the relatively short time required for such procedures. No serious side effects have been encountered during or after administration. The importance of pre-dictability of action with reference to the routine, continuity and rapid patient-turnover required in a radiotherapy department is stressed.