• D Celleno, G Capogna, M Emanuelli, G Varrassi, F Muratori, P Costantino, and M Sebastiani.
• Department of Anesthesiology, Fatebenefratelli General Hospital, Rome, Italy.
• J Clin Anesth. 1993 Jul 1;5(4):284-8.

Study ObjectiveTo determine maternal and neonatal effects of three different induction drugs (thiopental sodium, propofol, and midazolam) for cesarean section.DesignRandomized, double-blind study.SettingInpatient obstetric department at a general hospital.Patients90 healthy patients undergoing elective cesarean section with general anesthesia.Interventions3 groups of 30 patients each receiving thiopental 5 mg/kg, propofol 2.4 mg/kg, or midazolam 0.3 mg/kg for induction of anesthesia.Measurements And Main ResultsTime to induce anesthesia, hemodynamic changes, depth of anesthesia, recovery after anesthesia, placental transfer, and neonatal outcome (Apgar and neurobehavioral examinations) were studied. In the thiopental and midazolam groups, systolic blood pressure and heart rate rose following endotracheal intubation and skin incision (p < 0.001 and p < 0.0025, respectively), while in the propofol group, there was significant hypotension after induction (p < 0.005). Electroencephalographic patterns showed a light depth of anesthesia with propofol and midazolam between anesthesia induction and delivery, confirmed by the presence of clinical signs of light anesthesia in 50% of propofol patients and 43% of midazolam patients. Time to induce anesthesia was longer with midazolam (p < 0.0001). Neonates in the midazolam and propofol groups had lower Apgar and neurobehavioral scores than those in the thiopental group. Umbilical artery to umbilical vein ratios were above 1 in the propofol and midazolam groups.ConclusionThiopental still remains the first-choice induction drug for cesarean section. The slow induction time with midazolam may put the mother at risk for pulmonary inhalation. A plane of anesthesia that may risk awareness and potential neonatal depression is the main drawback of the two newer induction drugs.

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