OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of desflurane, a new volatile anesthetic agent, in a standardized endotracheal anesthetic technique for the removal of third molars in ambulatory patients. METHODS Data were kept on 50 American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) Class I and II patients undergoing oral endotracheal general anesthesia for removal of third molars. A standardized anesthetic technique was used on all patients. Induction was achieved with a bolus of propofol followed by neuromuscular paralysis with succinylcholine and then intubation. A 70% nitrous oxide, 30% oxygen, and desflurane mixture was titrated until there was no movement, and a local anesthetic was administered. The procedure was then completed in a standard fashion. The parameters measured included the length of surgery, the time from gas shutoff to extubation, the time from arrival in the postanesthesia care unit to achieving an Aldrete system score for discharge with an escort, the incidence of nausea and vomiting, and amnesia of the procedure. RESULTS This study showed that the use of desflurane as the primary anesthetic agent for procedures of less than 1 hour is a useful technique. The agent is expensive, but the decreased recovery time and minimal side effects may offset this expense. CONCLUSIONS The desflurane anesthetic technique provides a satisfactory surgical environment in selected patients. It results in rapid postanesthesia recovery and discharge times, thus reducing costs.