Desflurane is a new volatile anaesthetic agent, with qualitative physiological and pharmacological effects similar to those of previously available drugs of this type. The feature that sets desflurane apart from other halogenated, volatile anaesthetics is its low solubility in blood and body tissues. Therefore, its uptake, distribution and elimination are more rapid than those for similar drugs. Desflurane undergoes negligible metabolism, and should have a low potential for producing toxic effects. Because it has a high vapour pressure desflurane needs a special delivery system, a heated, pressurised vaporizer. Its low solubility gives it the ability to produce rapid alterations in depth of anaesthesia and rapid emergence and recovery from anaesthesia.