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Comparison of recovery from anaesthesia induced in children with either propofol or thiopentone

C J Runcie1, S J Mackenzie, D S Arthur

  • 1Division of Anaesthesia, Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

British Journal of Anaesthesia
|February 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

Propofol anesthesia induction in children undergoing day-case surgery led to faster early recovery. While all young patients woke up quicker, only older children were discharged sooner after propofol.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Anesthesiology
  • Surgical Recovery
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Day-case surgery in children requires careful anesthetic management for optimal recovery.
  • Assessing recovery involves evaluating time to specific criteria, sedation, pain, and vomiting.
  • Thiopentone and propofol are common induction agents with differing recovery profiles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the effects of thiopentone versus propofol on early recovery after day-case surgery in children.
  • To evaluate recovery parameters including time to eye opening, responsiveness, and discharge readiness.
  • To determine if age influences the recovery profile following different anesthetic induction agents.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial involving 102 children undergoing day-case surgery.
  • Children received either intravenous thiopentone (5 mg kg-1) or propofol (3 mg kg-1) for anesthesia induction.
  • Recovery was assessed using time-based criteria and sedation, pain, and vomiting scores.

Main Results:

  • Propofol induction significantly shortened the time to spontaneous eye opening in children under 5 years old.
  • In children aged 5-11 years, propofol hastened eye opening, response to name, and discharge time.
  • Overall, propofol demonstrated a trend towards faster early recovery across the pediatric age groups studied.

Conclusions:

  • Propofol induction accelerates early recovery from anesthesia in pediatric day-case surgery patients.
  • The benefit of earlier discharge following propofol induction was primarily observed in older children (5-11 years).
  • Anesthetic choice, specifically propofol, can positively impact recovery efficiency in pediatric ambulatory surgery.

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