Comparison of recovery of propofol and methohexital sedation using an infusion pump.

Author(s): Cohen M, Eisig S, Kraut RA

Affiliation(s): Department of Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10467, USA.

Publication date & source: 1996-01, Anesth Prog., 43(1):9-13.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

Two sedative anesthetic agents administered by an infusion pump were compared during third molar surgery. Forty American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class I or II volunteers were randomly allocated to two groups. All subjects received supplemental oxygen via a nasal hood, fentanyl (0.0007 mg/kg intravenous [i.v.] bolus), and midazolam (1 mg/2 min) titrated to effect. Patients then received either 0.3 mg/kg of methohexital or 0.5 mg/kg of propofol via an infusion pump. Upon completion of the bolus, a continuous infusion of 0.05 mg/kg/min methohexital or 0.066 mg/kg/min propofol was administered throughout the procedure. Hemo-dynamic and respiratory parameters and psychomotor performance were compared for the two groups and no significant differences were found. The continuous infusion method maintained a steady level of sedation. Patients receiving propofol had a smoother sedation as judged by the surgeon and anesthetist.