Korean J Anesthesiol.  1996 Jun;30(6):680-686. 10.4097/kjae.1996.30.6.680.

Comparison of Wakefulness during Cesarean Section after Anesthetic Induction with Thiopental Sodium or Propofol

• Kang WJ
• Si TO
• Kim KS
• Kwon MI
• Kim DS
• Shin KI

• KMID: 1934798
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.1996.30.6.680

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Experience of wakefulness and pain perception during general anesthesia can be distressful to patients. For cesarean section, a light plane of general anesthesia is chosen for fetal safety and rapid recovery; there is an increased incidence of maternal wakefulness. Propofol may be the choice if smooth induction and rapid maternal recovery are desired. We compared propofol with thiopental sodium as an induction agent of anesthesia in cesarean section, noting in particular the patients wakefulness during operation.
METHODS
Twenty six patients who underwent cesarean section received either thiopental sodium 4 mg/kg (n=13) or propofol 2.5 mg/kg (n=13) as an induction agent. To assess intraoperative wakefulness, a tourniquet was applied before the administration of succinylcholine for maintaining motor function in one arm. Wakefulness during anesthesia could be assessed by asking the patient to move her hand.
RESULTS
Although the changes in blood pressure and heart rate were similar in both groups, the propofol group had a less increasing systolic blood pressure from the period immediately and 1 minute after intubation (P<0.05). The patients administered with propofol showed significantly higher incidences of "followed commands" and "made reaching movements" (P<0.05). The incidence of dreams was higher in the propofol group than thiopental sodium group.
CONCLUSIONS
Propofol was similar to thiopental sodium in hemodynamic effects on mother, but incidence of intraoperative wakefulness was significantly increased in the propofol groups.

Keyword

Anesthesia; obstetric; Anesthetics; intravenous; thiopental; propofol; Memory; awareness

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia
Anesthesia, General
Anesthetics
Arm
Blood Pressure
Cesarean Section*
Dreams
Female
Hand
Heart Rate
Hemodynamics
Humans
Incidence
Intubation
Memory
Mothers
Pain Perception
Pregnancy
Propofol*
Succinylcholine
Thiopental*
Tourniquets
Wakefulness*
Anesthetics
Propofol
Succinylcholine
Thiopental