Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Propofol is a sedative and hypnothic agent that is mostly used during induction of general anesthesia due to its rapid loss of consciousness and recovery. However it causes pain during intravenous injection. It’s reported that injection pain of propofol ranges from %28 to %90. The aim of this study is observation of pain due to different sites of intravenous administration of propofol used for induction of general anesthesia.

METHODS

107 patients were included for the study. Propofol was given through a small vein( dorsum of hand) in Group 1 (n=56) patients and through a large vein (antecubital) in Group 2 (n=51) patients. Injection pain was measured using 4 point verbal rating scale and Wong-Baker face scale.

RESULTS

It is found that there is a statistically significant decrease in pain scores and insidence in Group 2 (p< 0.001).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

As a result, injection of propofol through an intravascular cannula placed in a large vein is effective for reducing injection pain. So that, patients have no need for another medication.