Abstract
Volatile anesthetics are an integral part of total anethesia techniques. These are halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon derivatives which are supplied to the inhaled mixture by means of vaporizers.
The oldest and still used inhalation anesthetic is nitrous oxide - laughing gas. The currently used volatile anesthetics include isoflurane, sevoflurane and desflurane.
Very rarely xenon is used. This review article brings information about pharmocikinetcs, pfarmacodynamics of the currently used anesthetics, their physical and chemical properties, and mainly depicts their clinical use.