'Diprifusor' for neurosurgical procedures

Abstract

The pharmacokinetic profile of propofol is an advantage in neurosurgery, where the rapid return of cognitive function is essential for an early postoperative assessment of neurological status. Administration of propofol by 'Diprifusor' target controlled infusion allows induction of anaesthesia in neurosurgical patients without significant reduction of mean arterial pressure or occurrence of apnoeic episodes. This short paper describes our experience of 'Diprifusor' target controlled infusion for neuroanaesthesia in a series of 20 patients undergoing craniotomy for excision of epileptic foci. The results have been compared with ten similar operations where propofol infusion was controlled manually.