Characteristics of propofol in outpatient oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Propofol is a relatively new intravenous anesthetic with qualities that make it useful in the practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery. In a preliminary study to examine the safety of the drug, 100 patients ASA class I patients were treated in an outpatient environment with standardized doses of fentanyl and midazolam in combination with propofol. An induction dose of propofol of 1 mg/kg was followed by a constant bolus given at the rate of 10 mg/minute. The overall quality of induction and maintenance of anesthesia was good to excellent in 91% of cases. The main complications experienced were excessive movements during administration of local anesthesia, movement to stimulation during the operative period, and modest decreases in blood pressure. The results indicate that propofol is an effective means for the provision of general anesthesia in the outpatient oral surgery setting.