COMPUTER-CONTROLLED INFUSION OF PROPOFOL FOR LONG NEUROSURGICAL PROCEDURES

This study evaluated the performance of a computer-controlled infusion (CCI) system for propofol during long neurosurgical procedures. Anest hesia was induced and maintained in 15 patients using a CCI of propofo l. The initial target concentration was set at 3 mu g/ml, and this was then titrated according to the clinical situation. A total of 284 blo od samples were taken for propofol assay. The performance of the syste m during anesthesia, assessed using the median performance error(MDPE) , median absolute performance error (MDAPE), wobble, and divergence, w ere -5.3%, 20.6%, 9.0%, and 0.3%h, respectively. MDPE and MDAPE during the first: 20 min after stopping the infusion were -38.7% and 39.0%, respectively. The CCI system did not show significant changes in predi ctive ability, with time during anesthesia lasting up to 12 h. Changes in the measured blood concentration were in the same direction as cha nges in the target concentration.