Propofol for induction and maintenance of anaesthesia at caesarean section. A comparison with thiopentone/enflurane.

A propofol infusion regimen and a standard general anaesthetic were compared in 40 Chinese women undergoing elective Caesarean section. Twenty patients received propofol 2 mg/kg for induction of anaesthesia followed by propofol 6 mg/kg/hour, while 20 patients received thiopentone 4 mg/kg with enflurane 1% for maintenance of anaesthesia. All patients were given atracurium and their lungs ventilated with nitrous oxide 50% in oxygen until delivery of the neonate. The hypertensive response after intubation was of shorter duration in the propofol group compared with the thiopentone group. Induction to delivery times ranged from 5 to 14 minutes and neonates from both groups had similar and satisfactory Apgar scores. Neurologic and Adaptive Capacity Scores and umbilical cord blood gas analysis. However, a prolonged propofol infusion time before delivery may cause lower Neurologic and Adaptive Capacity Scores. There were no differences in maternal recovery times or psychomotor performance.