Severity and duration of mental deficiency symptoms after intravenous administration of propofol

Publication

Severity and duration of mental deficiency symptoms after intravenous administration of propofol

Journal Paper/Review - Jul 5, 2006

Seidl S, Hausmann Roland, Neisser J, Janisch H-D, Betz P

Citation

Seidl S, Hausmann R, Neisser J, Janisch H, Betz P. Severity and duration of mental deficiency symptoms after intravenous administration of propofol. Int J Legal Med 2006; 121:281-5.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Int J Legal Med 2006; 121

Publication Date

Jul 5, 2006

Issn Print

0937-9827

Pages

281-5

Brief description/objective

The severity and duration of cognitive performance capacity deficits after intravenous administration of propofol were determined using the validated psychological test procedure syndrome short test (SKT), a simple reaction test and original driving licence exam questions. The test battery was performed before, immediately after, as well as 1 and 2 h after propofol administration in 23 persons. Immediately after propofol anaesthesia, six individuals had a slight performance loss, and four subjects showed mild deficits, consistent with medium organic neuropsychologic disorder or dementia. The status of the subjects rapidly changed for the better, and 2 h after propofol anaesthesia, only one person (4%) showed slight deficits of memory and attention. Therefore, it is suggested that patients refrain from any participation in road traffic for at least 2 h after propofol anaesthesia. Driving a car should not be admitted until an interval of 6 h has elapsed.