Preserved memory function during bispectral index-guided anesthesia with sevoflurane for major orthopedic surgery

Memory function under anesthesia is undesired but may arise from light hypnosis as well as stress-enhanced learning during surgery. The bispectral index (BIS, Aspect Medical Systems, Norwood, MA) is a monitor of hypnotic state that can help to avoid light hypnosis (i.e., BIS above 60). This study tested the hypothesis that BIS-guided anesthesia maintaining BIS 50-60 reduces the likelihood of memory function under anesthesia.

After obtaining informed consent, 128 patients scheduled for joint replacement surgery under general anesthesia with sevoflurane were randomly assigned to BIS-guided anesthesia, titrating drugs to BIS 50-60 (BIS group), or a standard practice group in which BIS was recorded but did not guide drug administration. After induction, all patients were repeatedly played a list of 15 words. After recovery from anesthesia, all were interviewed about recall and completed a recognition memory test containing the presented words (targets, 33.3%) and new words (distractors). Preoperatively, patients filled out a stress questionnaire (Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory).

BIS values above 60 were recorded in both groups, but no patient recalled the presented words postoperatively. Only patients in the BIS group selected targets more often than distractors (37.1% vs. 31.5% hit rate, P = 0.001). Target hit rates correlated poorly to stress scores (P > 0.9), but were associated with the amount of fentanyl received preoperatively (P = 0.01) and pain management technique (P < 0.01).

BIS titration to BIS 50-60 does not necessarily curb memory function under anesthesia when BIS values higher than 60 occur. Preoperative analgesia attenuated the likelihood of memory function under anesthesia.