Puerperal sterilization requires a rapid recovery of the mother so that she can take care of her child. Propofol with fentanyl (PF) is an option, but is associated with intraoperative hypotension, respiratory depression and an unsatisfactory postoperative recovery profile. Propofol with ketamine (PK) appears to be an alternative in terms of haemodynamic stability and analgesia.

This randomized clinical trial involved 60 patients who were scheduled to undergo puerperal sterilization, who belonged to American society of anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status 1. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either ketamine – propofol infusion in a concentration of 8mg/ml each (group PK) or fentanyl 2µg/kg intravenously, followed by an infusion of propofol in a concentration of 8mg/ml (group PF). In both the groups, the infusion was started at 300ml/hr till patient lost consciousness. Subsequently, the rate was set at 1.5ml/kg/hr for group PF and at 0.75ml/kg/hr for group PK. After the initial 10 minutes, the infusion rate was reduced to 1ml/kg/hr for group PF and to 0.5ml/kg/hr for group PK. Blood pressure and saturation were the primary outcomes which were measured.

Patients from group PF recorded a significant drop in the systolic blood pressure from the 5th minute, in diastolic pressure from the 10th minute and transient oxygen desaturation, as compared to group PK. Patients in group PK had adequate surgical conditions and better recovery profiles in terms of pain and sedation.

The combination of ketamine and propofol is a safe and possibly superior alternative to propofol – fentanyl combination in patients who undergo puerperal sterilization, in terms of haemodynamic stability and respiratory depression.