Influence of Various Anaesthetic Agents on the Formation and Stability of Haemostatic Plugs in the Rabbit Mesentery

Abstract

The effect of five different anaesthetic agents (urethane, chloralose, pentobarbital, fentanyl-fluanisone and ether) on the formation and stability of haemostatic plugs in transected microvessels of the rabbit mesentery was studied. Ether significantly decreased the frequency of rebleeding through previously stable haemostatic plugs. There were no significant differences between the other four agents although there was a tendency to decreased plug stability during pentobarbital anaesthesia. It is concluded that, despite some theoretical disadvantages, urethane offers the most convenient and satisfactory form of anaesthesia for studies on haemostatic plug formation using the rabbit mesenteric preparation.