MOVEMENTS OF THE VOCAL CORDS ON INDUCTION OF ANAESTHESIA WITH THIOPENTONE OR PROPOFOL

• Published in: British journal of anaesthesia : BJA Vol. 69; no. 1; pp. 23 - 25
• Main Authors: BARKER, P., LANGTON, J.A., WILSON, I.G., SMITH, G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.07.1992; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Anaesthetics; Anesthesia, Intravenous; Anesthetics. Neuromuscular blocking agents; Biological and medical sciences; Female; Humans; intravenous: propofol; Intubation, Intratracheal; Intubation: tracheal; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Movement - drug effects; Neuropharmacology; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Propofol - pharmacology; Thiopental - pharmacology; thiopentone; Vocal Cords - drug effects; Vocal Cords - physiology; intravenous: propofol; Intubation: tracheal; thiopentone; Anaesthetics; Intravenous administration; General anesthetic; Induction; General anesthesia; Intubation; Vocal cord; Barbituric; Trachea
• ISSN: 0007-0912; 1471-6771
• DOI: 10.1093/bja/69.1.23

Using a fibreoptic laryngoscope, we have recorded on video tape the movements of the vocal cords after induction of anaesthesia with either propofol or thiopentone. The angle formed by the vocal cords decreased after induction of anaesthesia in both groups. This reduction in angle was significantly greater in the thiopentone group. The vocal cords closed completely in four patients in the thiopentone group and one patient in the propofol group. This difference may be explained by greater depression of laryngeal reflexes by propofol and this may account for the lower incidence of laryngospasm after induction of anaesthesia with propofol in comparison with thiopentone.