[Comparative study of propofol and sodium thiopental in short-duration anesthesia]

We have compared propofol and sodium thiopental in two groups of 20 women undergoing curettage. Patients received premedication with diazepam and were randomly allotted to propofol group (2 mg/kg, intravenously) or sodium thiopental group (5 mg/kg, intravenously). Anesthesia maintenance was carried out with spontaneous ventilation with 0(2)-N2O. When complementary doses were required, 20% of the initial dose was administered. There were no significant differences with respect to base arterial blood pressure and heart rate on induction, 2 minutes after induction and at the end of the operation. The time from the end of the operation to the patient began to respond to the order of open eyes and to the patient was aware enough to establish a coherent talk and to seat without help was similar in both groups. Adverse effects were minor in bith groups and significantly more frequent in propofol group. We conclude that propofol is a particularly interesting new anesthetic agent for short duration anesthesia.