Nitrous oxide (also known as laughing gas) is still used as a general anesthetic, but typically in combination with other agents. There are several reasons why nitrous oxide may not be used as the sole anesthetic agent:
- Nitrous oxide is a weak anesthetic: It does not provide sufficient anesthesia for surgical procedures on its own and must be combined with other agents to provide effective anesthesia.
- Nitrous oxide has a short duration of action: It rapidly diffuses out of the body and does not provide postoperative pain control.
- Nitrous oxide is not an analgesic: It does not relieve pain and may increase pain perception in some patients.
