Publication:

Effect of pre-administration of 50 ml and 100 ml 6% hydroxyethyl starch for reduction of pain on propofol injection: a randomized controlled study

Background Propofol is the drug of choice for induction of anaesthesia but causes pain on intravenous injections. Colloids can prevent contact activation by propofol. This randomized controlled study compared the effects of pre-administration of 50 ml and 100 ml 6% Hydroxyethyl Starch (HES) in attenuating propofol injection pain.

Methods 180 patients undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia were randomized into 3 groups. Group A (Patients received 50 ml HES), Group B (Received 100 ml HES) and Group C (Received 50 ml normal saline). Study drug was administered immediately before administration of propofol. Pain was assessed 15 seconds after administration of propofol using a four-point Verbal Rating Score (VRS). Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, ANOVA and Post hoc Bonferroni test were applied and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results There was a significant reduction in occurrence of pain in group A and B compared to group C (p=0.000). The mean pain score was also significantly higher in group C compared to group A and B (p=0.000). On post hoc Bonferroni test for intergroup comparison, there was no significant difference in the pain scores between group A and B (p=1.000), whereas both groups had a significantly lower pain scores compared to group C (p=0.000 and 0.000 respectively).

Conclusions Both 50 ml and 100 ml 6% hydroxyethyl starch pre-administration equally and significantly reduces pain on propofol injection.