In 1986, Propofol was licensed and became a leader in the modern anesthesia world. This intravenous anesthetic not only changed the anesthesia technology during surgery, but also led the medical community to new thinking on anesthesia management. Total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA), as an emerging anesthesia method, not only reduces postoperative discomfort, but also improves the patient's recovery speed. However, with the widespread use of Propofol, its potential risks have also triggered many discussions.
Looking back at history, the technology of intravenous anesthesia began to gradually develop as early as the 19th century. In 1845, Francis Rynd invented the hollow needle, paving the way for intravenous administration of drugs. Subsequently, Pierre-Cyprien Oré used chloride hydrate for intravenous anesthesia for the first time in 1872. Although initial attempts were accompanied by high mortality rates, these innovations opened up the medical community's exploration of anesthetics.
After the efforts of many scientists, Propofol was licensed in 1986 and became a key to modern anesthesia.
TIVA is now widely used in a variety of surgeries as an alternative to general anesthesia, with the advantage of a safer postoperative recovery process. Compared with traditional volatile anesthetics, intravenous anesthesia is more effective in quickly restoring the patient's consciousness and reducing the occurrence of nausea and vomiting. Its core goals include: smooth anesthesia introduction, reliable anesthesia maintenance, and rapid recovery time.
Propofol significantly improves the postoperative recovery experience for patients and greatly improves the comfort of anesthesia.
When performing TIVA, the drug dosage for each patient needs to be carefully adjusted. Due to the physiological and pathological differences in each patient, the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of the drug need to be considered. In addition, intravenous anesthesia monitoring technology is constantly updated, such as the application of smart pumps and target controlled infusion (TCI) equipment, which improves the safety and accuracy of anesthesia.
Propofol, etomidate, and ketamine are the most commonly used intravenous anesthetics in clinical practice today. Their high lipid solubility allows rapid anesthesia after intravenous injection, but also results in a short duration of action. Propofol is widely chosen for its rapid onset of action and few side effects, while etomidate is suitable for patients with hemodynamic instability.
Although the TIVA method has obvious advantages, it is not without risks. For example, patients may be at risk of unintentional awakening during anesthesia, which is more difficult to monitor with traditional inhalational anesthetics than with intravenous anesthetics. In addition, the impact of prolonged anesthesia exposure on neurological function also requires attention, especially for elderly and pediatric patients.
With the popularity of Propofol, it is increasingly important to discuss the side effects and risk management during anesthesia.
The use of TIVA requires special caution when dealing with obese patients, children and elderly patients. Medication dosage adjustments in obese patients are complicated by physiological differences, while medication calculations in children need to take into account their rapid drug metabolism. As age increases, patients become more sensitive to medications, and these factors need to be considered comprehensively in anesthesia management.
In the wide application of Propofol, we not only need to pay attention to its changes in medical technology, but also need to be aware of the risks and challenges behind it. As ever-changing medical technology continues to advance, how will anesthesia change in the future to better ensure patient safety and comfort?