Abstract
Background and objectives. In total intravenous anaesthesia 2 different application modes for propofol are widely used: 1. infusion by means of manually controlled infusion pumps, and 2. infusion by means of microprocessor-controlled infusion pumps operating according to pharmacokinetic algorithms (TCI = target controlled infusion). The parallel use of these 2 methods in our department by various anaesthetists offered the opportunity to retrospectively compare both application patterns regarding clinical effects and drug consumption.
Methods. Ninety-six anaesthesia records from general anaesthesias with propofol and opioids from gynaecological laparoscopic operations were retrospectively evaluated. Forty-eight records derived from 6 anaesthetists using manual propofol infusion (retrospective allocation to group C), and 48 other records derived from 6 anaesthetists using TCI infusion (retrospective allocation to group M). We assessed the intra-operative hemodynamic course, drug consumption, awakening time and post-operative side effects.
Results. The awakening time after TCI was significantly shorter than after manual propofol infusion (M: 4,9 ± 3.1 min vs. C: 9,9 ± 5.7 min). We observed a non-significantly rarer occurrence of post-operative side effects such as PONV and pain. Only insignificant differences in drug consumption could be found.
Conclusions. Both observed application patterns for propofol showed similar clinical profiles. Using TCI, awakening time was 5 min earlier than with manual infusion mode, thus showing a potential pharmaco-economical advantage in anesthesias for gynecological laparoscopy. The detected differences did not have a statistically significant influence on the early postoperative outcome.