Abstract: Recovery characteristics using single-breath 8% sevoflurane or propofol for induction of anaesthesia in day-case arthroscopy patients.

Authors:

Dashfield AK, Birt DJ, Thurlow J, Kestin IG, Langton JA.

Institution:

Department of Anaesthesia, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK.

Source:

Anaesthesia. 1998 Nov;53(11):1062-6.

Abstract:

We studied the induction and recovery characteristics following inhalational induction with 8% sevoflurane in nitrous oxide and oxygen compared with intravenous propofol in 40 patients presenting for arthroscopy of the knee. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either induction agent, and anaesthesia was then maintained with sevoflurane in oxygen and nitrous oxide. A computerised test of hand--eye co-ordination and a p-deletion test were used to measure psychomotor recovery. The sevoflurane group had a faster onset of anaesthesia time. No significant differences between the groups were found in time to eye opening or psychomotor tests. Nausea and vomiting scores were significantly higher at 30 min in the sevoflurane group (p = 0.04); this difference was no longer significant by 90 min. We conclude that inhalational induction with sevoflurane in these patients has no important clinical advantages and causes more nausea and vomiting than propofol.

Keywords:

Orthopaedic Surgery Arthroscopy Anaesthesia Induction Inhalational Sevoflurane