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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijaa.2349.8471.51118.1

Abstract

  The success of anaesthesia in obstetrics depends largely upon surgical demand and materno­foetal well being. Hence the aim of anaesthesia is to provide safety and comfort to the mother, minimal neonatal depression and optimal working condition for the obstetrician. Propofol 2.5 mg/kg was compared with thiopentone sodium 5mg/kg as induction agent for elective caesarean section. A total of 90 healthy pregnant patients of ASA I and II, who were scheduled for elective caesarean section were included in this study and were randomly allocated into 3 groups. Group I­ Thiopentone sodium 2.5% (5mg/kg), group II­ Propofol 0.5% (2 mg/kg) and group III­ Propofol 1% (2mg/kg). Induction was smooth and rapid with both Propofol and Thiopentone with minimal incidence of side effects. Induction time was found to be shortest with Propofol 1% (40.1±6.11 seconds) as compared to Thiopentone sodium 2.5% (47.2±7.26 seconds) and Propofol 0.5% (70.5±19.58 seconds). Mean arterial pressure was lower in Propofol 1% group during the induction and intra­operatively. Other hemodynamic changes were similar in all three groups. Apnoea occurred less frequently with Propofol 1% (10%) than with Thiopentone sodium (43.33%). Pain on injection (6.66%) and awareness (10%) was found with Propofol whereas cough (3.33%), hiccup (6.66%) and nausea & vomiting (33.33%) were observed with Thiopentone sodium. Recovery time was shorter with clear headedness with Propofol. There was no significant neonatal depression as assessed by Apgar score. Propofol appears to be a better alternative to Thiopentone sodium as induction agent for caesarean section.

Keywords : General Anaesthesia; Caesarean Section; Propofol; Thiopentone Sodium; Apgar Score

Corresponding Author : Ajai Vikram Singh, Associate Professor, Department of Anaesthesia, Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Government Institute of Medical Science and Research (VCSGGMSRI), Srinagar, Garhwal, Uttarakhand 246174, India.