Induction Characteristics of Propofol in Children: Comparision with Thiopentone

Abstract

Introduction: Induction of anaesthesia has been dominated by intravenous induction agents. The commonest inductionagent in use is Sodium Thiopentone. However it is increasingly being replaced by Propofol. The advantage of propofolis faster induction, rapid and clear headed recovery and less postoperative nausea and vomiting. Very little research has been done to compare propofol with thiopentone in children. The aim of this study was to compare the anesthetic effects of thiopentone and propofol in children.

Methods: This prospective comparative study was conducted in 60 consecutive children undergoing elective surgery. The study compared induction characteristics between the two drugs. The aim and objectives was to compare the induction characteristics of 1% propofol with another popular intravenous anesthetic 2.5 % thiopentone.

Results: The study showed that the drugs have similar induction characteristics but there was difference in terms of heart rate, hypotension, apnoea and pain on injection. The heart rate ranged from 103.9 to 107.2 beats per minute in propofol group and for the thiopentone group the changes in heart rate was from 96 to 101 beats per minute. The mean systolic blood pressure in the propofol group was between 91.63 to 97.9 mm of Hg and for thiopentone was between 94.63 and 95.73 mm of Hg. The diastolic blood pressure ranged from 55.5 to 60.23 mm of Hg in the propofol group whereas for thiopentone it ranged between 60.26 to 62.76 mm of Hg. The basal Spo2 being 99.06 in the propofol group dipped to 98.56 in the propofol group and for the thiopentone group the value remained between 98.7 to 99.3%.

Conclusions: Propofol can safely be used as a replacement to thiopentone for pediatric day care surgeries.

Medical Journal of Shree Birendra Hospital; January-June 2013/vol.12/Issue1/4-7

http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/mjsbh.v12i1.9082