Evaluation and optimisation of a target-controlled infusion system for administering propofol to dogs as part of a total intravenous anaesthetic technique during dental surgery

The performance of a modified target-controlled infusion system was investi gated in 16 dogs undergoing routine dental work, by comparing the predicted concentrations of propofol in venous blood samples with direct measurement s; the optimum targets for the induction and maintenance of anaesthesia wer e also identified. The performance of a target-controlled infusion system i s considered clinically acceptable when the median prediction error, a meas ure of bias, is not greater than +/-10 to 20 per cent, and the median absol ute performance error, a measure of the accuracy, is not greater than 20 to 30 per cent. The results fell within these limits indicating that the syst em performed adequately. The optimal induction target was 3 mug/ml, and ana esthesia of adequate depth and satisfactory quality was achieved with maint enance targets of between 2.5 and 4.7 mug/ml propofol. The system was easy to use and the quality of anaesthesia was adequate for dental work.