Propofol ('Diprivan') infusion as main agent for day case surgery.

Propofol has been used to induce and, by continuous infusion, maintain, surgical anaesthesia in 18 patients undergoing day case gynaecological surgery. All patients received fentanyl 1.5 micrograms/kg two minutes before induction. Propofol in a dose of 2.5 mg/kg provided a smooth induction with an acceptably low incidence of pain on injection, although the incidence of apnoea following induction was high. Maintenance of anaesthesia by propofol infusion with spontaneous ventilation, without addition of nitrous oxide or volatile anaesthetic agents, proved satisfactory using a mean infusion rate of 214 micrograms/kg/min. No patient reported being aware and recovery was rapid and uncomplicated. No anaphylactoid reactions were observed.