Propofol or methohexitone for induction of anaesthesia for minor gynaecological procedures.

A new anaesthetic induction agent, propofol (Diprivan; Stuart), was used to induce anaesthesia in 16 healthy patients scheduled for minor gynaecological surgery. The findings were then compared with those in a subsequent group of 16 patients who received methohexitone for induction of anaesthesia. Halothane was used to maintain anaesthesia in all cases. Quality of induction, side-effects, cardiovascular indices, wake-up times and presence or absence of recall were recorded. Propofol caused fewer side-effects on induction and emergence and less change in heart rate than methohexitone, and patients were more clear-headed on awakening. Our findings indicate that propofol is a promising agent for induction of anaesthesia for day-case surgery.