[The memory of tracheal extubation during emergence from general anesthesia]

The authors evaluated the memory of tracheal extubation during emergence from general anesthesia. We screened 3,039 consecutive patients undergoing elective surgery from November 1, 1998 to December 31, 1999. Of 3,039 patients, 1,993 were interviewed postoperatively at the anesthesia clinic and 202 had the memory of tracheal extubation. The incidence was higher in the groups of female, younger and propofol anesthesia compared to male, elder and inhalational anesthesia, respectively. The patients who were dissatisfied with anesthesia were more in the patients with the memory of tracheal extubation compared to the patients without the memory. We consider that the memory of tracheal extubation contributes to the dissatisfaction with anesthesia.