[Use of Diprivan for prehospital emergencies]

The use of propofol at the scene of an accident or during transport to the hospital: 1. Should be restricted to fully qualified anaesthetists of an Emergency Mobile Hospital Unit. 2. Is probably rather limited, as: the indications for anaesthesia in this context are relatively rare; they are dominated by trauma cases (which represent 20 to 30 per cent of the activity of an Emergency Mobile Hospital Unit) and other accident-related conditions; furthermore, in most emergency situations, sedation and/or analgesia of varying depth are more often required; the indications for propofol would be rare because of: its haemodynamic effects, especially as hypovolaemia is extremely frequent, as neurological damage is often existing, and the medical history of the patient is frequently unknown; the possible choice of other agents, such as midazolam, which is widely used as well as etomidate or ketamine; 3. Should follow the same guidelines as those in use for its intra-hospital administration: propofol is undoubtedly a valuable agent as it allows a rapid induction, depresses the pharyngo-laryngeal reflexes, and has the advantage of producing a rapid, good quality recovery which provides an important element of safety; however, for as long as prospective comparative studies have not specifically been carried out in the area of pre-hospital anaesthesia, the greatest circumspection is required. Any contraindication and precaution recommended from hospital use should be strictly adhered to and amplified because of the difficult circumstances and the other available alternatives kept in mind.