Preventive effect of propofol against increased intra-ocular pressure caused by succinylcholine injection and endo-tracheal intubation

Background and Penetrating eye injury is one of the most frequent trauma admitted in ophtalmological emergency rooms. The major concern when treating such a trauma is increased intra-ocular pressure and vitreous loss as a side effect of Succinylcholine and endotracheal intubation with no appropriate substitute drug available yet. This study is aimed to determine whether the use of Propofol can prevent the increase intra-ocular pressure caused by succinylcholine injection and endotracheal intubation. 46 cases were selected and classified on the basis of Âmerican Society of Ânesthesiologists’ Physical Status Ï، ÏÏ (ÂSÂPS Ï، ÏÏ). Before induction of anaesthesia، intra-ocular pressure was measured for each individual case using Schiotz tonometer. Then، anaesthesia was carried out using Propofol (mean: 3mg/kg) and succinylcholine (mean: 1. 2mg/kg) while endo-tracheal tube being placed in the trachea. Ïntra-ocular pressure was measured using the same method immediately and 2 minutes after intubation. Repeated measurements test and correlation co-efficient was used to compare the mean difference and correlation between measurements. SPSS version 16 and SÂS-9. 1 were used to conduct all statistical analysis. 33 patients، of them 13 female cases (39. 4%) and 20 male (60. 6%) cases have shown a mean intar-ocular pressure of 12 mmHg prior to induction. Âfter intubation، their immediate and two minutes intar-ocular pressure were 10. 69 and 9. 93 mmHg respectively. Çonclusion: Ôur study shows not only the intra-ocular pressure is not raised but also it is decreased by rapid induction of Propofol followed by injection of succinylcholine and endotracheal intubation.