Comparing the Pretreatment with Lignocaine 40 mg and Fentanyl 100 ug as an Adjuvant for Preclusion of Pain Associated with Intravenous Propofol Injection

Abstract Background: Propofol (2,6-di-isopropylphenol) is one of the most favored drugs used for induction of anesthesia. Pain on injection is a common problem. Various methods have been tried to alleviate this pain but with conflicting results. Objective: To compare effectiveness of lignocaine versus fentanyl in patients receiving propofol for general anesthesia in population of Pakistan who come to PIMS hospital in Islamabad. Materials and Methods: 120 participants of either sex, between 18 and 40 years of age, belonging to ASA physical status I and II, undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia, were randomized into two equal groups of 60 participants. They received, intravenously, either lignocaine 2 ml (20 mg/ml )or fentanyl 2 ml (50 mcg/mL) as a pretreatment before propofol injection. Results: The efficacy of lignocaine as a pretreatment drug injection was higher (96.7%) compared to fentanyl (85.0%). In the lignocaine group, 2.3% of the participants experienced pain as compared with 15% in the fentanyl group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Compared with fentanyl, lignocaine pretreatment was more effective in preventing pain on propofol injection. KEY WORDS: Comparison, Fentanyl, LIgnocaine, Propofol, Pain.