Propofol pharmacokinetics in a dwarfism patient

Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2003 Apr;47(4):488-90. doi: 10.1034/j.1399-6576.2003.00074.x.

Abstract

Pharmacokinetic information is important to control anesthetic depth. However, there are few available pharmacokinetic data of propofol in dwarfism patients. We anesthetized a dwarfism patient who underwent spinal decompression, and investigated the pharmacokinetics of propofol. The patient was a 40-year-old man suffering from muscle weakness and numbness in the arms. The operation consisted of two stages; anterior approach in the supine position and posterior approach in the prone position. We also obtained arterial blood for pharmacokinetic analysis. Distribution volume at steady-state and clearance in the supine position was 180 and 0.92 l min- 1, respectively, and in the prone position 127 and 0.74 l min- 1, respectively, in spite of a continuous infusion of dopamine. The data in the supine position were well predicted by Gepts' parameters (used in Diprifusor Zeneca Ltd, Cheshire, UK), which means the target-controlled infusion (TCI) technique can be available in the supine position, while attention is necessary to avoid overdosing when a patient is placed in the prone position.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anesthesia*
  • Anesthetics, Intravenous / pharmacokinetics*
  • Dwarfism / metabolism*
  • Dwarfism / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prone Position
  • Propofol / pharmacokinetics*
  • Spinal Cord Compression / surgery
  • Supine Position

Substances

  • Anesthetics, Intravenous
  • Propofol