The use of boluses of propofol for the management of severe tetanus in a child

Tetanus is endemic in many developing countries. Although propofol has been proposed for sedation in tetanus, the routine use of this drug has not been clearly documented in published reports. A few studies have reported its beneficial effects but no randomized studies are available. We describe the case of a five-year-old boy who presented with severe tetanus in East Africa. The antispastic therapy consisted of benzodiazepine infusion with the addition of titrated boluses of propofol. Intubation and mechanical ventilation were avoided.