IV anaesthesia with propofol using a target-controlled infusion system: comparison with inhalation anaesthesia for general surgical procedures in children.

We studied 40 children undergoing general surgical procedures. They were allocated randomly to receive induction of anaesthesia with propofol 3-5 mg kg-1 followed by maintenance with halothane and an appropriate regional block, or induction and maintenance of anaesthesia with a computerized, target-controlled infusion of propofol with a regional block. All patients breathed a mixture of 67% nitrous oxide in oxygen via a laryngeal mask airway. Both techniques provided adequate anaesthesia and operating conditions. There were no significant differences between the groups in heart rate, mean arterial pressure and end-expired carbon dioxide concentration during anaesthesia. There was no significant difference in the recovery times of the two groups.