Prevalence of Side Effects of Propofol Anesthesia among Adult and Pediatric Patients Undergoing Surgery

Abstract

Propofol is a short-acting medication that results in a decreased level of consciousness and lack of memory for events. Its uses include the starting and maintenance of general anesthesia, sedation for mechanically ventilated adults, and procedural sedation. It is also used for status epilepticus if other medications have not worked. It is given by injection into a vein. Maximum effect takes about 2 min to occur, and it typically lasts 5-10 min. Propofol is believed to work at least partly through receptor for gamma-aminobutyric acid. [1] Propofol was discovered in 1977 and approved for use in the United States in 1989. [1,2] It is on the World Health Organization's list of essential medicines, the most effective, and safe medicines needed in a health. [3] The aim of this study is to assess prevalence of different side effects of propofol use as anesthetic in different surgeries and to compare their prevalence between adults and pediatrics. MaterIals and MethodsA prospective cohort study of 100 patients, fifty adults and fifty pediatrics, who undergo different types of surgery and receive propofol anesthesia, in pediatric hospital, Benghazi medical center and Al-Hawari hospital from September to November 2019. Data collection included patient's age, gender, indication of surgery, and complications of anesthesia.