Comparison of patient-controlled sedation with propofol and alfentanil for third molar surgery--preliminary results of a pilot study.

Propofol and alfentanil are commonly used for sedation and pain control. A preliminary study to compare the usefulness of these drugs was carried out in ten healthy patients requiring bilateral wisdom tooth surgery. The operations were done in two appointments with the patient receiving a different drug on each occasion. Anxiety levels were recorded on visual analogue scales pre and post-operatively. Both agents caused a decrease in anxiety scores, with propofol causing a more significant reduction. Vomiting and nausea with alfentanil was noted in three patients. Propofol also had an amnesic effect which alfentanil did not have. In conclusion, propofol would appear to be the drug of choice within the limitations of this pilot study.