Comparative Evaluation of the Influence of Propofol and Thiopental on the Onset Time, Duration of Action and Recovery of Pipecuronium

Two groups of 15 patients each, with American Society of Anesthetists’ (ASA) physical status I or II, were administered two single bolus doses of propofol 2 mg/kg or thiopental 4 mg/kg, followed by pipecuronium 0.08 mg/kg. Neuromuscular block was studied using both single twitch and train-of-four (TOF) nerve stimulation. The onset time, duration of clinical action and TOF recovery of pipecuronium were measured. The onset time of pipecuronium was significantly more rapid in patients receiving propofol compared with those administered thiopental (2.75 ± 0.54 vs 3.85 ± 1.08 minutes; p