Comparison of propofol with methohexitone in the provision of anaesthesia for surgery under regional blockade.

Propofol was compared with methohexitone for provision of light general anaesthesia in patients undergoing surgery under spinal analgesia. Intermittent bolus administration of both agents proved a feasible way of maintaining anaesthesia, a mean infusion rate of 0.13 mg kg-1 min-1 being required for propofol and 0.089 mg kg-1 min-1 for methohexitone. Propofol produced smoother anaesthesia with significantly fewer excitatory side effects and less pain on injection, but cardiovascular and respiratory depression occurred commonly. Recovery was rapid with both agents, but minor postoperative sequelae occurred more frequently after methohexitone.