Propofol versus thiopentone for induction of anesthesia in patients undergoing outpatient surgery

Investigation was carried out on 40 females undergoing dilation and curettage or laparoscopy on outpatient basis. All patients were premedicated with pethidine and atropine. In 20 patients, anesthesia was induced with intravenous propofol 2 mg/kg (Group I), and in the other 20 patients thiopentone 4 mg/kg was used (Group II). Prior to induction of anesthesia, 80 mg of lignocaine (4 ml of 2%) was injected intravenously to be followed by the induction agent. No pain followed the injection of propofol or thiopentone and smooth induction of anesthesia was achieved within 60 seconds. Injection of suxamethonium 100 mg and tracheal intubation was then performed and anesthesia was maintained with 66% N2O in O2 supplemented by suxamethonium drip. In the thiopentone group, SBP decreased after induction and tracheal intubation was followed by a significant increase of SBP and HR. In the propofol group, both SBP and HR decreased after induction and tracheal intubation was also followed by an increase of SBP and HR. However, the increase of SBP was less than that observed in the thiopentone group and the increase of HR was not significant when compared to the control value. At the end of surgery and cessation of anesthesia, recovery was scored. After 10 minutes, all patients in the propofol group were awake and initiated conversation while 12 patients of the thiopentone group were still sleepy. The results suggest that propofol may be preferred to thiopentone for induction of anesthesia in outpatient surgery.