PATIENT-CONTROLLED SEDATION USING PROPOFOL IN DAY SURGERY

Patient‐controlled sedation using propofol was studied in 30 unselected patients aged 26–72 years undergoing day case general surgical or orthopaedic procedures under local or regional anaesthesia. Using a fixed propofol dose of 0.7mg.kg −1 body weight, the technique provided anxiolysis and sedation with few side effects and a high degree of patient satisfaction. Increasing age was significantly correlated with a deeper maximum level of sedation (p < 0.001), indicating a need for a lower bolus dose in the higher age groups. Interpatient variability in propofol requirement was reflected in the lack of significant correlation between propofol dose and procedure duration (p = 0.095) and patient age (p = 6.72). Copyright © 1992, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved