A prospective, randomized comparison of the effects of thiopental and propofol on bispectral index during caesarean section till delivery of newborn

Background: Since in caesarean operations skin incision to delivery time is very short, induction agent could be still effective on BIS level till the time of delivery. Therefore this study was designed to analyze the effect on maintaining adequate bispectral index levels till delivery of neonate of propofol and thiopental as an induction agent for caesarean section. Methods: Eighty two patients undergoing caesarean section were allocated into two groups. In the group T anesthesia induction was performed with thiopental (5 mg/kg) and in the group P with propofol (2.5 mg/kg). Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane. Heart rates, blood pressures and BIS values during significant events of surgery and anesthesia till delivery, durations of surgery, induction to skin incision and to delivery and Apgar scores were recorded. For statistical analysis T-test was used for comparison of means of independent samples. Results: The groups were comparable with respect to age, weight and gestational age. The patients in the group P had significantly lower levels of bispectral index values during uterus incision; 40.6 vs. 59.5 (p = 0.019) and delivery; 41 vs. 62.9 (p = 0.018). Conclusion: Anesthesia induction with propofol in a dose of 2.5 mg/kg maintains lower levels of heart rate, blood pressure and BIS till delivery when compared with thiopental in a dose of 5 mg/kg. There is no financial support taken from any kind of company or person. There are no financial relationships between authors and commercial interests with a vested interest in the outcome of study.