[Intravenous propofol as a supplement in epidural anesthesia]

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Epidural anesthesia is common for lower abdominal and extremity surgeries.
• Sedative agents are often used to supplement regional anesthesia for patient comfort and surgical conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of propofol as a supplementary sedative agent for patients undergoing lower abdominal and lower extremity surgery under epidural anesthesia.
• To determine the induction dose and maintenance infusion rate of propofol in this setting.

Main Methods:

• Thirty patients (ASA class I-II) received premedication and epidural anesthesia with lidocaine and epinephrine.
• Propofol (2 mg/kg IV) was administered for induction, followed by continuous infusion (6 mg/kg/h) for maintenance.
• Hemodynamic parameters, induction time, and recovery times were monitored.

Main Results:

• All patients achieved sleep within 28.3 seconds with a mean infusion rate of 6.1 mg/kg/h.
• Recovery times (eye-opening, orientation) were approximately 8 and 10 minutes, respectively.
• Significant decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (around 18%) and cardiac output (around 8%) were observed post-induction.
• Two patients (7%) experienced apnea, and 13% required propofol infusion cessation due to hypotension.

Conclusions:

• Propofol is an effective supplementary sedative for epidural anesthesia in lower abdominal and extremity surgeries.
• It allows for rapid induction and satisfactory recovery.
• Careful monitoring for side effects like apnea and hypotension is crucial.