Enemas for Anesthesia

Did anyone else experience enemas inducing anesthesia or sedatives prior to an operation as a child. I had it twice in hospital as a child but then it seemed to go out of favor.

Sedative enemas had way too unreliable absorption rates, efficacy and variable dose-effectivness. It was right to eliminate that and substitute a pill or IM or IV injection. It's good that they're gone.

Enemas are great for constipation, sex, and for a feeling of well being. Lets leave hard drugs out of enemas.

Well said Susie!

When i had my tonsils out i was given an enema with anesthesia i was 8 or 9 at the time

I also had it that way as a young child in a childrens hospital during the early 50's. I had to have a cyst removed two times and both times it was given anally.

As mentioned, it was used frequently for children prior to a tonsilectomy. And, due to the side effects and complications, has been replaced with better alternatives.

On the other hand, hospitals were not the least bit shy about giving an enema for darn near anything else. You were usually given one as part of being admitted, and another before most surgeries. If you were in for more than a couple of days, you most likely would get another one or two during your recovery. Then,you were likely to get another before discharge if you hadn't had a BM on your own. When it came to hospitals, adults or kids got "equal treatment".

I posted a similiar question a few days ago. I remember many years ago running across a reference to chloroform mixed with olive oil being given during childbirth. While I can find references to other drugs being administered this way I can no longer find any info on the use of chloroform in an enema. I suspect it must have been used for a very few years. Does anyone have any info on this?

I had my tonsil removed at age 6. That was in 1952. A nurse gave me an enema the night before.

A few years ago I had my appendix removed and there was no enema.

Years back, one would always receive an enema before a surgery requiring general anesthesia. Basically that was so you didn't take a dump on the operating table while you were in such a relaxed state.

Over the years, new combinations of medicines used for general anesthesia, eliminated the need for enemas before a surgery. These new stronger, (and more dangerous) general anesthetics even puts your intestines to sleep. So no potential elimination issues while 'out'.

Of course as with any surgery requiring general anesthesia, there is no food or liquids allowed for like 8 to 10 hours before the procedure. For the most part, they will tell you no food or drink after 8:00 p.m. the night before the procedure, even if your procedure is scheduled for noon the next day, (figure out that one!).

Naturally of the surgery involves anything associated with the G.I. track, meaning from the stomach, all the way down, you will be given instructions for a clean-out prep at home anyway, so no need for an enema before the anesthesia.

Rather have cleansing enemas than do the oral chemicals. Years ago heard of doing chloral hydrate enemas to mental patients who got out of control. Put the person in a straight jacket, then give him the enema. Probably safer for personnel than trying to give oral or injectable meds

Got a laxative the night before and an enema the morning of my first colonoscopy, in a hospital. Wish they still did it that way

I had the tonsil experience too. The nurse asked me if I could take an enema. I was shocked as I thought they were after my throat rather than my butt.

I guess I gulped but in went the bulb and I got a dose of something and woke up with a sore throat after all.

Various drugs have been used as sedating agents and for anesthesia in the past - especially in pediatrics. Unfortunately, the technique was often messy and as for kids, they protested as much with an anal infusion as a shot or inhalational administration. I don't think any medical professionals use rectal techniques any more.

To Rob, #7. Chloroform is an obsolete anesthetic because it is toxic to the liver; otherwise, it was a pretty good non-flamable anesthetic but there newer ones that were better.