Comparative evaluation of propofol or methohexitone as the sole anaesthetic agent for microlaryngeal surgery.

Propofol or methohexitone was given to the same twenty patients on two separate occasions during total intravenous anaesthesia for microlaryngeal surgery. With propofol the quality of induction was superior. Fewer patients required supplementation. Heart rate and blood pressure were well controlled at levels of 110-120% baseline. There were fewer side-effects during maintenance and recovery. Patients were able to return home earlier. However, apnoea and pain on injection occurred frequently, the latter when injection was made into the dorsum of the hand. With methohexitone, apnoea, abnormal movement, nausea, vomiting, headache, restlessness and confusion were common. Cardiovascular variables were poorly maintained at levels of 170-180% baseline. The results suggest that propofol is suitable as the sole anaesthetic agent in patients undergoing microlaryngeal surgery.