Title:
	
Thiopental vs propofol for obstetric GA: a survey of current practice
Author(s):
	
Sandhar T.S.1, Sandhar R.M.2, Kumar M.1
Institute(s):
	
1Medway Maritime Hospital, Dept of Anaesthesiology & Intensive Care, Gillingham, United Kingdom, 2Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, Dept of Anaesthesiology & Intensive Care, Maidstone, United Kingdom
Text:
	
Background and Goal of Survey: The use of thiopental as induction agent for obstetric GA was first described by Hodges1. A national survey 2 published in IJOA 2013 showed that even though thiopental was still agent of choice 58% would support the use of propofol instead. Following publication of NAP53 and MBRRACE -UK 4 we surveyed the opinions and practice of anesthetists in KSS and London deanery in order to profile the current practice in obstetric general anaesthesia.
Materials and methods: An online survey was sent to trainees and consultants in the London and KSS deanery. We aimed at collecting replies from 80 anaesthetists of various grades with experience in Obstetric Anaesthesia.
Results and discussion: The response rate was 78%(63/80) out of which 84%(53) used thiopental as induction agent and propofol was used by remaining 16%(10). 56% of responders had experience of using both thiopental and propofol as induction agent in obstetric anaesthesia. Around 99% had experience with thiopental outside obstetric settings. 54% of responders would use thiopental and 46% would use propofol as induction agent for obstetric GA if choice was based on personal preference rather then a protocol.
Conclusion(s): Our survey has shown thiopental still being the drug of choice for obstetric GA. However, more then half of responders had experience of using both thiopental and propofol in obstetric setting. If given a choice to which induction agent to be used thiopental would be used by only slightly more than half.
References:
1.General anaestheia for operative obstetrics: with special reference to the use of thiopental and suxamethonium.Hamer Hodges RJ, Bennett JR, Tunstall ME, Knight RF Int J Obstet Anesth. 2013.
 2.Choice of anaesthetic agents for caesarean section: a UK survey of current practice. Murdoch H Scrutton M, Laxton CH. Int J Obstet Anesth. 2013.
 3.   Accidental Awarenessduring General Anaesthesia in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The 5th National Audit Project of RCOA and AAGBI. Plaat F, Lucas DN, Bogod DG. AAGA in obstetric anaesthesia. In: Pandit JJ,Cook TM,eds
 4.MBRRACE UK.Saving Lives, Improving Mothers' Care Lessons Learned to Inform Future Maternity Care from the UK and Ireland Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths and Morbidity 2009-12 .Yentis S, Clyburn P, Knight M, Kenyon S, Brocklehurst P, Neilson J, Shakespeare J, Kurinczuk JJ, eds Oxford:National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford, 2014: