Comparison of influence of thiopentone, propofol and midazolam on blood serum concentration of noradrenaline and cortisol in patients undergoing non-toxic struma operation.

The stress hormones plasma concentration after intravenous anesthetics (thiopentone, propofol, midazolam) administration in patients who underwent non-toxic struma operation was estimated. The goal of the study was to answer what stage of the general anesthesia and the surgery is the most dangerous for the cardiovascular system in term of stress hormones concentration and which of induction anesthetics used significantly alleviates undesirable reactions to surgical trauma and general anesthesia. 45 women aged 43 +/- 11, who underwent non-toxic struma operation and 16 women who underwent biliary gall-stones operation served as the 'study group and controls', respectively. Both groups were divided into 3 subgroups (in each a different anesthetic was used). Blood samples were taken at moments of increased stress during general anesthesia and operation. Intubation performed by laryngoscopy was found as the most stressful moment at which stress hormones are released intensively and can initiate cardiovascular disorders. According to our investigations, the suppression of the stress hormones (noradrenaline and cortisol) release was observed when propofol and midazolam were used for anesthesia induction for non-toxic struma surgery in contrast to thiopentone administration.