Do Inhalational Anesthetic Agents Still Hold Their Place in Modern Anesthesia Practice?

Inhalational anesthetic agents are chemical substances that are administered into the body via lungs and distributed to organs and tissues by blood circulation. The main site of their action is the brain, but they also affect other parts of central nervous system. Volatile and intravenous anesthetics alike have nearly reached the characteristics of an ideal anesthetic, but at a first glance, the increase in use of intravenous anesthetics could likely push out their volatile counterparts. Looking at the situation more thoroughly, positive side effects of volatile anesthetics that are not found in their intravenous counterparts, still give them a place in modern anesthesia practice. It is also possible to combine both techniques to reduce negative adverse effects, while making use of the positive ones.