Propofol and thiopental anesthesia: a comparison of the incidence of dreams and perioperative mood alterations.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate perioperative mood profiles and the incidence of dreams in patients receiving anesthesia with either propofol (n = 29) or thiopental (n = 27) in combination with nitrous oxide. The study was a prospective, randomized, and double-blind investigation of female patients undergoing outpatient dilation and curettage. Recall of dreams was assessed 1 h postoperatively and the following day by using a questionnaire designed for surgical patients. Mood profiles were quantified using the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List-Revised (MAACL-R), a self-administered questionnaire which was completed preoperatively and 1 h postoperatively. Our results indicate that postoperatively, all patients were significantly less anxious than preoperatively (P < 0.0001). In the postoperative period, patients receiving propofol exhibited sensation-seeking tendencies (i.e., active, adventurous, aggressive, daring, energetic, enthusiastic, merry) when compared to the thiopental patients (P < 0.02). The incidence of dreams was small and equal in both groups. We conclude that patients anesthetized with propofol and nitrous oxide, as compared to patients anesthetized with thiopental and nitrous oxide, were more likely to demonstrate adventurous tendencies in the postoperative period.