Severity and duration of mental deficiency symptoms after intravenous administration of propofol.

The severity and duration of cognitive performance capacity deficits after intravenous administration of propofol were determined using the validated psychological test procedure syndrome short test (SKT), a simple reaction test and original driving licence exam questions. The test battery was performed before, immediately after, as well as 1 and 2 h after propofol administration in 23 persons. Immediately after propofol anaesthesia, six individuals had a slight performance loss, and four subjects showed mild deficits, consistent with medium organic neuropsychologic disorder or dementia. The status of the subjects rapidly changed for the better, and 2 h after propofol anaesthesia, only one person (4%) showed slight deficits of memory and attention. Therefore, it is suggested that patients refrain from any participation in road traffic for at least 2 h after propofol anaesthesia. Driving a car should not be admitted until an interval of 6 h has elapsed.