[Use of propofol in ophthalmological anesthesia in elderly patients]

Forty patients more than 65 years old were anaesthetized with propofol for cataract surgery. Patients were divided into two groups: those intubated after topical oropharyngeal anaesthesia and those intubated after muscle relaxation obtained with suxamethonium. Induction and maintenance of anaesthesia were carried out with 2.5 mg . kg-1 and 4 mg . kg-1 . h-1 respectively. Concurrent use of muscle relaxants had no effect on the action and characteristics of the general anaesthesia or recovery. Relative bradycardia (7%) and arterial hypotension (25%) occurred rapidly following induction and continued during the entire period of anaesthesia despite the systematic infusion of 500 ml of electrolyte solutions. Recovery was extremely rapid. The original Glasgow score was obtained within 20 min. The only negative side-effects were generally late occurring (4-6 h): postanaesthetic nausea or vomiting. Otherwise, tolerance was excellent. Use of propofol was ideal for this type of surgery due to its strong and durable ocular hypotensive effect.