Propofol: bolus or continuous infusion

Forty patients undergoing vaginal termination of pregnancy were randomly allocated to receive a propofol anaesthetic using either a repeat bolus or infusion technique. The Ohmeda 9000 Infusion Pump was used in the study. Patients in the infusion group recorded significantly longer induction times, greater maintenance doses and prolonged immediate recovery characteristics. Both techniques offered cardiovascular stability but no advantages were demonstrated for the infusion technique over a conventional repeat bolus method.