Continuous intravenous infusion of disoprofol (ICI 35868, Diprivan). Comparison with Althesin to cover surgery under local analgesia.

Disoprofol has been used to induce and, by continuous infusion, to maintain a light level of general anaesthesia in 100 patients undergoing surgery with the aid of a regional block. Its effects have been compared with 100 patients anaesthetised in a similar manner with Althesin. Disoprofol proved to be a very satisfactory agent for use by this method and apart from an appreciable incidence of pain on injection the number of complications was small and comparable to those found with Althesin, which caused more involuntary movements. Recovery was particularly rapid and clear-headed following disoprofol, and occurred highly significantly more quickly than after Althesin. Disoprofol, however, will not be marketed in the present formulation which has Cremophor EL as the solubilising agent.