A study of co-induction of anaesthesia U.B.T.H. experience

Co-induction is the concurrent administration of two or more drugs that facilitate induction of anaesthesia. Some combinations have been shown to have pharmacological advantages. In addition to the safety and comfort of the patient, it is also important to find a cost effective combination in view of the rather stringent economy of the times. This project was undertaken to study the response of Nigerian patients to co-induction (midazolam and propofol) by comparison with the traditional thiopentone or propofol alone, and to study the cost implications. 45 patients who came in for various surgical procedures were randomly assigned to three different groups. The first group was induced with thiopentone alone. The second group had a combination of midazolam and propofol and the third group had propofol alone. In all other respects except for the surgery the patients had the same treatment. The induction was satisfactory in all groups. The cardiovascular and respiratory changes were within clinically acceptable limits but the emergence was best with propofol, followed by midazolam/propofol and thiopentone in that order. Although thiopentone was the cheapest in terms of absolute cost, the combination of midazolam and propofol was most cost-effective.