It provides good analgesia during and after surgery. It maintains cardiac output and is inexpensive.
Trichloroethylene takes effect slowly.
It has weak anaesthetic properties and may result in a rapid respiratory rate in spontaneously breathing patients. Arrhythmias may occur and adrenaline administration is contraindicated. If high doses are used a prolonged recovery will occur - particularly in elderly patients. Trichloroethylene is mainly used as an analgesic supplement to halothane or used on its own for minor procedures such as fracture manipulation. It has been used as the sole agent for tonsillectomy without intubation and for analgesia in labour.