RESUMEN
The authors present a retrospective study on the safety of their induction technique of anaesthesia in infants less than 30 days old. The records of 197 consecutive cases are reviewed, 47 of which concern major cardiac surgery. All the details of the technique are given: inhalation of halothane in O2 following a vagolytic premedication, spray of lidocaine 2 mg/kg on the vocal cords, orotracheal intubation to check adequacy of foreseen tube size, followed by definitive nasal intubation with the tube passed over a siliconed suction catheter. The results are discussed. The use of combined general and topical anaesthesia makes endotracheal intubation of the neonate nice and easy, atraumatic, well suited for training and more humane. Awake intubation should only be used as a resuscitative measure.