Evaluation of propofol as a general anesthetic agent for minor oral surgical procedure

Nausea and vomiting following anesthesia is a distressing problem for the patient as it increases the recovery time, intensity of nursing care and delays discharge. The aim of randomized controlled single blind study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of subhypnotic doses of propofol for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in day care management of cases in oral and maxillofacial surgeries. Twenty-five patient of ASA-1 with age ranging from 12 to 40 years were scheduled for various maxillofacial surgical cases like fracture, cyst enucleation, surgical removal of 3rd molar, etc. were given propofol at the dose of 2 to 2.5 mg/kg as induction dose and sedation was maintained with the dose 5 to 10 mg/min. There was no significant effect on heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation intraoperatively. In conclusion, a subhypnotic dose of propofol is fast acting, safe and easily controllable, short acting general anesthetic agent with rapid recovery. The study found that the PONV was significantly reduced in the patient with propofol, no hemodynamic derangements were noted in the postoperative period.