The ideal induction agent for day care surgery should have properties of rapid, smooth
induction, better haemodynamic profile, faster recovery and devoid of side effects in the
form of pain on injection, involuntary movements, respiratory depression and post-operative
nausea/vomiting. Propofol is the drug being used for day care surgeries because of its rapid,
smooth induction and faster recovery. But its use is associated with pain on injection (even
with added lidocaine), hypotension and respiratory depression. So the need for an agent with
better hemodynamic control and lesser side effects was felt. The introduction of etomidate
lipuro revolutionised the anaesthesia practice. It possesses many of the properties of an
ideal induction agent. This newer formulation of etomidate in lipid emulsion i.e. etomidate
lipuro is known to have rapid, smooth induction, haemodynamic stability and lesser side
effects than older etomidate with propylene glycol (hypnomidate).
Hence, investigators devised a prospective randomized controlled open trial and compared this
newer lipid formulation of etomidate with propofol in terms of - induction time, haemodynamic
parameters and side effect profile.