A study to assess the effect of pretreatment with intravenous palonosetron in preventing pain on propofol injection

Background. Propofol is widely used for induction, maintenance of anaesthesia and possess many characteristics of an ideal intravenous anaesthetic agent. It is known to cause severe, sharp, stinging or burning pain on injection which is considered to be unacceptable as it can cause agitation and interfere with smooth induction of anaesthesia. In this study we are comparing Palonosetron and Normal Saline in decreasing pain on injection of propofol during intravenous induction of anaesthesia. Material and methods. One hundred adult patients belonging to ASA physical status I or II, scheduled for elective surgeries under general anaesthesia were selected and randomly allocated to two groups. Group P received Injection Palonosetron and Group S received Injection Normal Saline as pre-treatment before injection of propofol. Patients were assessed for pain on propofol injection. Haemodynamic parameters and electrocardiography were recorded at the following points of time: prior to induction, after pre-treatment,induction, and half hourly during the surgery. Results. Comparing pain during propofol injection, 32% in Palonosetron group and 4% in Normal Saline group did not have pain, 54 % in Palonosetron group and 20 % in Normal Saline group had mild pain, 12% in Palonosetron group and 48% in Normal Saline group had moderate pain, 2% in Palonosetron group and 28% in Normal Saline group had severe pain. Conclusions. Pretreatment with Palonosetron 0.075 mg reduced the incidence and severity of propofol induced pain on injection, with an added advantage of decreased post-operative nausea and vomiting without significant haemodynamic changes.