Infusions of propofol to supplement nitrous oxide-oxygen for the maintenance of anaesthesia. A comparison with halothane.

The peri-operative and postoperative effects of propofol given by infusion were compared with halothane as a supplement to nitrous oxide-oxygen anaesthesia for body surface surgery in patients who breathed spontaneously. Anaesthesia was induced after opioid premedication, with either propofol 2.5 mg/kg or thiopentone 4-5 mg/kg which were followed respectively by an infusion of propofol 12 mg/kg/hour for 10 minutes and at a variable rate thereafter, or by halothane at a mean inspired concentration of 1.2%. Maintenance of anaesthesia required a median rate of infusion of propofol of 149.4 micrograms/kg/minute. The cardiovascular effects during induction and maintenance of anaesthesia were similar in the two groups. The overall incidence of side effects was low but immediate recovery was significantly faster in patients who received propofol.