ABSTRACT
Experiences with propofol in pediatric anesthesia are limited. We undertook a study to evaluate the quantity of induction and recovery from anesthesia with propofol compared to thiopental/halothane. Fifty children received 2mg/kg of propofol as a loading dose followed by a maintenance dose of 9mg/kg/hr for first 30minutes and followed by 6mg/kg/hr there- after. Fifty children received 5mg/kg of thiopental, and maintensnce was provided with halothane (0.5%-1.5%). The interval between the end of the administration of propofol or thiopental/halothane and extubation, as well as discharge to the ward,was significantly shorter with propofol (5.43 versua 10.72 min and 10.30 versus 18.20 min, respectively). Pain on injection site were seen more frequently with propofol, whereas nausea and hiccup were only observed with thiopental. During the first 6 hour after the surgical procedure, an- algesics were needed significantly more often in the thiopental group. In conclusion, propofol used as a single anesthetic for total intravenous anesthesia is a satisfactory agent for oph- thalmic surgery of short duration in children.