Comparison of Effects of Propofol and Thiopental as Induction Agent for Cesarean Section on Succinylcholine, Maternal Consciousness and Apgar Score

Kim, Seong Bae; Choi, Young Seok; Lee, Il Ok

Abstract

Since propofol was first used clinically in 1977 by Kay and Rolly, it has been widely used for the anesthesia of the short procedures and the outpatient surgery because of its rapid onset time, short action duration and minimal residual side effects. Thiopental has been considered as the routine induction agent of anesthesia for cesarean section despite of disadvantage of cardiovascular depression and some depression of fetus. Propofol might be a useful altemative to thiopental in obstetric anesthesia where rapid, smooth induction and recovery with less effect on neonates are desirable. The purpose of this study was to compare propofol with thiopental for induction of anesthesia in cesarean section with respect to affecting the time of loss of consciousness, the onset and duration of succinylcholine during induction measured by the time taking to the ratio of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of the control value, which were stimulated by 40mA and 1Hz single-twitch stimulation evoked by electrical peripheral nerve stimulator. Apgar scores of the neonates and the awareness during the operation were measured. The results were as follows. 1) The time from injection of the induction agent to unconsciousness by propofol was statistically shorter than that by thiopental (p<0.05). 2) There were no statistically significant differences in onset and duration of succinylcholine between both groups. 3) There were no significant differences in Apgar scores between both groups. 4) The frequency of awareness of propofol group did not differ from that of thiopental group. In conclusion, propofol appears to be a suitable alternative to thiopental as an induction agent for cesarean section beeause of its rapid loss of consciousness and similar effects on Apgar scores to thiopental.