Objectives: To compare the effects of an anesthetic induction dose of thiopental to that of propofol on the vitality of the neonate, as measured by Apgar score and the interval between extraction of the newborn and unassisted respiration.
Patients and methods: One hundred ASA I-II women undergoing cesarean section were randomly assigned to two groups of 50. Anesthesia was induced with thiopental 4 mg/kg in one group; in the other group, propofol 2 mg/kg was used. Time intervals recorded were induction-to-extraction, uterine incision-to-extraction and extraction-to-unassisted respiration. An Apgar score was recorded 1, 5 and 10 min after birth. For statistical analysis, each group was divided into three subgroups, in accordance with the reason for performing the cesarean section: subgroup 1, elective cesarean; subgroup 2, emergency cesarean due to dystocia or failure; subgroup 3, emergency cesarean section due to acute fetal distress.
Results: Means of intervals for induction-extraction and uterine incision-extraction showed no significant differences. All induction-extraction intervals were under 10 min (4.94 +/- 1.55 min) and all uterine incision-extraction intervals were under 180 sec, with most staying under 90 sec (43.13 +/- 25.76 sec). No statistically significant differences were found for vitality between the two groups of neonates.
Conclusions: If the induction-extraction interval is 10 min or less, both thiopental (4 mg/kg) and propofol (2 mg/kg) given in a single dose for induction of general anesthesia in all types of cesarean section are equally safe for the newborn infant.