Effects of propofol versus thiopental on apgar scores in newborns and peri-operative outcomes of women undergoing caesarean section: A randomized clinical trial.

Abstract

Introduction: General and regional anaesthesia are the two main techniques used in caesarean sections. Regional anaesthesia is the preferred choice although in certain circumstances like patient choice, back deformities; general anaesthesia is the only option. Commonly used induction agents are thiopental, ketamine and propofol depending on availability and patient’s condition. Propofol and thiopental have each been studied and their advantages have been written however, studies comparing the two agents have yielded controversial results and the better agent is still unclear. Objective and purpose; the main objective was to look at how the two agents affect neonatal Apgar scores and maternal haemodynamics. The better agent for the mothers and their children was to be ascertained and if no difference really existed, then protocols and guidelines will be written depending on our monetary and technical resources. Methodology; the study was a single blinded randomised clinical trial with 150 ASA I and II participants block randomised equally between the two study arms. Results: At 0 minutes, 43(57.3%) babies in the propofol group had an Apgar score of less than 7 as compared to the 31(41.3%) babies in the thiopental group. There were no significant differences in the maternal hemodynamic changes at induction; however propofol had shorter recovery times when compared to thiopental. Conclusion: Propofol does not offer better Apgar scores than thiopental when used as an induction agent.