What is the role of maintenance agents in anesthesia?

Maintenance agents are essential in anesthesia as they are used to sustain the state of anesthesia during a surgical procedure. These agents help keep the patient in an unconscious and pain-free state after the initial induction phase has been completed. They provide a continuous level of anesthetic depth suitable for the duration of the surgery, ensuring that the patient remains stable and oblivious to the procedure, thus allowing the veterinarian to perform the necessary tasks effectively and safely.

Induction agents are distinctly different as they are used to initiate anesthesia, preparing the patient for the maintenance phase. Similarly, while reversal agents are vital for bringing a patient back to consciousness after the completion of a surgical procedure, their role is specifically to counteract the effects of anesthetics. Preparation of the patient occurs before any anesthetic agents are administered, which again highlights the unique role of maintenance agents in sustaining anesthesia during the operation itself.