Effect of flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) on awareness during anaesthesia for caesarean section

Abstract

The incidence of awareness was compared in three groups of patients undergoing elective or emergency Caesarean section, using pethidine alone or pethidine plus flunitrazepam (Rohypnol), as adjuvants to nitrous oxide: oxygen, muscle relaxant technique of general anaesthesia. The use of 0.03 mg/kg body weight of flunitrazepam was associated with a low incidence (4%) of awareness, cardiovascular stability, postoperative sedation and anterograde amnesia. The reduced incidence of awareness is probably due to increased depth of anaesthesia and anterograde amnesic effect produced by the drug.