Disoprivan (Propofol) sedation during regional anesthesia. a pilot study
Döbler, K.; Dombrowski, E.; Nolte, H.
Regional-Anaesthesie 11(1): 21-25
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0171-1946 PMID: 3258431 Document Number: 320448
In a preliminary pilot study, the effect of disoprivan for sedation during regional anesthesia was investigated. In 15 patients (ASA I or II), lumbar epidural anesthesia with bupivacaine 0.75% was performed at L 3/4. For premedication morphine or pethidine combined with scopolamine was given. After injection of the local anesthetic, a 30-min period was allowed for establishing the physiological side effects of epidural blockade, to present any further changes in circulatory and/or cardiac function. Disoprivan (1 mg/kg body weight) was injected i.v. followed by continuous disoprivan infusion. Three groups of 5 patients each were given 1, 1.5, or 2 mg/kg per hour disoprivan. Changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate were studied. Recovery time and personal assessment of sleep were registered. Side-effects of clinical relevance from the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems were also registered. A dose-dependent upper airway obstruction that could easily be managed by an oral or nasal airway was seen in 9 of 15 patients. Eight patients had postoperative nausea or vomiting; 9 complained of pain during the bolus injection that they could not remember postoperatively. All patients described their sleep as pleasant. Recovery time from sleep was between 1 and 12 min. All changes from normal values increased in percentage with increasing disoprivan dosage. Disoprivan (1 or 1.5 mg/kg per hour) seems to be excellent for sedation during regional anesthesia and is perhaps even superior to other available drugs.