Propofol in general anesthesia in children

: For a long period of time propofol has been in use for total intravenous anesthesia in adults. In our literature there are no data on the use of propofol in pediatric anesthesia. The aim of the study was to compare effects of propofol for the induction of anesthesia, maintenance and recovery after anesthesia, with barbiturate, that is, inhalation anesthesia during spontaneous breathing. 50 children underwent propofol anesthesia. A control group comprised 50 children who underwent thiopentone and halothane anesthesia. The average propofol dose was 2.38 mg/kg/tt. Monitoring of cardiovascular parameters revealed statistically significant variations in systolic and diastolic pressure in both groups, but a more significant decrease was recorded in the propofol group. The decrease, recorded only during the initiation of anesthesia, stabilized afterwards. Side effects (pain during the initiation, apnea, spontaneous movements) were present in the propofol anesthesia, while in the halothane group they were reduced. In the propofol group period of recovery was short, indicating advantages of this anesthetic in day care centers.