The aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the safety of propofol use during neurosurgical operations of different durations.
Materials andmethods: 72 patients weredividedintothreegroups depending on the type of operations; it were group 1 (ventriculostomy), group 2 (hematomaremoval), and group 3 (tumor removal), the anesthesia durations in these groups were65±5 min, 145±7 min and 225±10 min, respectively. Totalpropofoldoses in patientsofgroups 1, 2, and 3 were452±22 mg, 710±42 mg, and 966±51 mg, respectively. Before intervention and 1 h post operation, bloodgas composition, serum levels of transaminase, triglycerides, creatinephosphokinase, andpotassium, rateofurineoutput, levelof mean arterial pressure, and heart rhythm rate were determined.
Results: Nosignificantdeviations concerning hemodynamic indicators, bloodgas composition, changesof creatinekinaseactivity werefoundforanygrouppatientsduring the perioperativeperiod. The rate of urine output in all patients reached above 0.5 ml/kg/h without saluretics use.Thedeviatedtransaminasevalues returnedtotheir normal
onesduring 24 h post intervention. The triglycerides levels were in normal range proving the absence of propofol doses used on the lipid metabolism.
Conclusions: Anesthetic protection of neurosurgical interventions using propofol in doses 2.5-3 mg/kg and 3.60.3 mg/kg/h for induction anesthesia and for anesthesia support, respectively, is safe and does not lead to dangerous undesired consequences. However, the propofol use for prolonged patient sedation and his/her adaptation for prolonged lung ventilation needs further studies.