An epidural catheter was inserted at T9-L2 interspace and 10 micrograms.kg-1 fentanyl with (E+) or without (E-) epinephrine 1:100,000 was given for 82 elective abdominal surgeries. N2O 66%, enflurane and muscle relaxant were used as needed. The onset and the duration of the action were estimated to be approximately 15 minutes and 4 hours, respectively. Anesthesia was maintained with enflurane below 0.4% (0.22 +/- 0.09%) in 70 patients (85.4%). E+ group needed significantly lower concentration of enflurane than E- group. There was no severe hemodynamic change during the operation. Systolic pressure, diastolic pressure and heart rate during the operation were 115.2 +/- 16.0 mmHg, 69.4 +/- 10.8 mmHg and 74.2 +/- 11.4 min-1, respectively, each of which was about 18% less than the values on arrival in the operating room. Sixty-one patients (82.5%) woke rapidly. Almost all patients felt well and had no pain during the recovery period. Naloxone 0.05-4 mg was administered intravenously in 21 patients (31.7%) whose respiratory rate was below 10 min-1. The patients with shorter operation time (shorter than 2.5 hours) needed more naloxone. Troubles of respiratory depression did not occur in the recovery room and in the ward in both naloxone and non-naloxone groups. This anesthesia method which induces mild depression of blood pressure and heart rate may be indicated for patients with ischemic heart disease or with poor cardiac function, but has no advantages in patients with poor respiratory function who need early extubation after a short operation.