COMPARISON OF THIOPENTONE (1.25%) AND PROPOFOL (1%) FOR INSERTION OF LARYNGEAL MASK AIRWAY IN PAEDIATRIC PATIENTS

BACKGROUND Laryngeal mask airway is widely used in management of paediatric anaesthesia. This study has been designed to investigate whether Propofol 1% alone or Thiopentone along with Halothane is suitable agent for LMA insertion in relation to ease of insertion, pain on injection, haemodynamic instability and recovery in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this randomized double-blind prospective study, 50 ASA grade I & II patients of age 3 to 5 years were included. Patients were divided into two groups: P group received Propofol 1%, 3.5 mg/kg and T group received Thiopentone 1.25%, 5 mg/kg along with Halothane. All children were evaluated for ease of insertion, pain on injection, jaw relaxation, coughing, gagging, involuntary limb movements, recovery and haemodynamic stability. RESULTS Propofol group had 96% single attempt insertion of LMA as compared to (76%) in Thiopentone group (P<0.5), mean score for Jaw relaxation was 3 in propofol group whereas in Thiopentone group it was 2.6 (P<0.5). Shivalingum score for incidence of adverse responses to airway manipulation, such as coughing, gagging, laryngospasm, limb movements were 17.96 +/- 0.2 in Propofol group and 13.84 +/- 0.2 in Thiopentone group (P<0.5), systolic blood pressure after 1 minute of LMA insertion was 118.72 +/- 2.71 with propofol group whereas it was 125.52 +/- 3.45 in Thiopentone group (P<0.5) CONCLUSION Propofol has smooth induction, haemodynamic stability and smooth recovery characteristics with less postoperative complications in children.