E Liljeroth1, A Grauers, J Akeson. 1. Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:Propofol, a popular intravenous (iv) anaesthetic induction agent for brief cases or day surgery, is associated with smooth induction, pleasant sleep, rapid recovery and little postoperative nausea. A major disadvantage is pain at the site of injection. The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of simultaneous iv infusion of carrier fluid on propofol-induced local pain. METHODS:Thirty patients, scheduled for ear-nose-throat or plastic surgery under general anaesthesia, were randomly allocated into two groups. Each patient had two 2 ml iv bolus injections of propofol given at two minutes' interval. In group I (n=15) the first bolus injection was given with no iv carrier fluid and the second one given with a 10 ml iv carrier fluid infused over 10 s. Correspondingly, the patients in group II (n=15) had their first injection with and their second one without the iv carrier fluid. Following each injection of propofol the patients were asked by a blinded investigator to score their pain on a 10-point visual analogue scale, and to report the appearance, maximum and disappearance of pain. After the second assessment of pain, general anaesthesia was induced with more propofol. RESULTS:Pain intensity at the site of propofol injection was found not to be influenced by simultaneous iv infusion of carrier fluid. CONCLUSION: It seems, from the results obtained here, that simultaneous iv infusion of carrier fluid has no particular effect on local pain following iv administration of propofol.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND:Propofol, a popular intravenous (iv) anaesthetic induction agent for brief cases or day surgery, is associated with smooth induction, pleasant sleep, rapid recovery and little postoperative nausea. A major disadvantage is pain at the site of injection. The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of simultaneous iv infusion of carrier fluid on propofol-induced local pain. METHODS: Thirty patients, scheduled for ear-nose-throat or plastic surgery under general anaesthesia, were randomly allocated into two groups. Each patient had two 2 ml iv bolus injections of propofol given at two minutes' interval. In group I (n=15) the first bolus injection was given with no iv carrier fluid and the second one given with a 10 ml iv carrier fluid infused over 10 s. Correspondingly, the patients in group II (n=15) had their first injection with and their second one without the iv carrier fluid. Following each injection of propofol the patients were asked by a blinded investigator to score their pain on a 10-point visual analogue scale, and to report the appearance, maximum and disappearance of pain. After the second assessment of pain, general anaesthesia was induced with more propofol. RESULTS:Pain intensity at the site of propofol injection was found not to be influenced by simultaneous iv infusion of carrier fluid. CONCLUSION: It seems, from the results obtained here, that simultaneous iv infusion of carrier fluid has no particular effect on local pain following iv administration of propofol.