title: Propofol 1% and propofol 2% are equally effective and well tolerated during anaesthesia of patients undergoing elective craniotomy for neurosurgical procedures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The 2% formulation of the intravenous anaesthetic agent, propofol (Diprivan), delivers half the amount of lipid compared with the original 1% formulation. This may provide an acceptable alternative for patients who have an impaired ability to metabolise lipids.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a multicentre, randomised, open comparison of parallel groups. Seventy-three adult patients undergoing elective craniotomy in neurosurgery were randomised to receive either propofol 1% (10 mg/ml) or propofol 2% (20 mg/ml) for induction and maintenance of anaesthesia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of induction time (199 s, 1%; 202 s, 2%; p > 0.05) and induction dose (1.13 mg/kg, 1.12 mg/kg; p > 0.05) shows that propofol 1% and propofol 2% are pharmacodynamically equivalent. Both formulations were similar regarding overall administration rates, recovery times, haemodynamic variables and tolerability. Plasma triglyceride levels, were lower in the propofol 2% group compared with the propofol 1% group, and significantly lower (p < 0.05) from 1 to 4 hours after induction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that propofol 2% is as effective and as well-tolerated as propofol 1% for anaesthesia and is an acceptable alternative to propofol 1% in patients undergoing elective craniotomy in neurosurgery. The lower lipid load suggests it may be of particular benefit to patients with disorders of lipid metabolism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, University of Genova.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zattoni
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cella
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ori
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Facco
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Giron
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Stocchetti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chieregato
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Serioli
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zuccoli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parma
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Trazzi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D015742:Propofol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D008055:Lipids; D015742:Propofol