Pilot study of propofol as an induction agent

ABSTRACT

A clinical trial of propofol as an induction agent was performed on 100 patients of A.S.A. physical status I and II. Nine (9) percent developed pain on injection, 24 percent apnoea and 20 percent various haemodynamec changes. 99 percent wished to receive the drug again as an induction agent. Propofol is a 2,6, diisopropyl phenol formulated as an aqueous emulsion in soya bean oil. Clinical trials with this formulation began in 1983 and it had been shown to induce anaesthesia rapidly and smoothly and recovery was associated with no hangover effects. It was thus decided to test its usefulness as an induction agent in a West Indian population for surgical procedures lasting less than 60 minutes. These were mainly gynaecological, urological and orthopaedic surgical procedures. (AU)