Single-shot i.v. anaesthesia for outpatient dental surgery. Comparison of 2,6 di-isopropyl phenol and methohexitone.

A single i.v. bolus dose of propofol 3 mg kg-1 was compared with methohexitone 2 mg kg-1 as the sole anaesthetic agent for simple dental extraction in outpatients. Induction of anaesthesia was smoother with propofol, with a lower incidence of excitatory phenomena. Pain on injection was a common complication of both drugs and related to the site of injection. The Leeds Psychomotor Tester was used to assess psychomotor performance during the recovery. Rate of recovery from anaesthesia was similar with both agents, and there was little residual impairment of psychomotor function 40 min after induction.