Recovery profile of patients undergoing nasal surgical procedures: a comparison between sevoflurane and propofol

To compare the recovery profile of sevoflurane and propofol in nasal surgical procedures.

A prospective, double blind, randomized study

King Abdul Aziz University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a tertiary care teaching hospital, attached with King Saud University, Riyadh Saudi Arabia.

60 ASA I-II patients age between 18-35 years, and weighing 50-80 kg, scheduled for nasal surgical procedures.

Patients were assigned randomly to one of the two groups, the Sevoflurane Group-S (n = 30) & the Propofol Group-P (n = 30). Anesthetic induction was carried out using propofol 2.0mg/kg.in both the groups. Cis-atracurium 0.15mg/kg was given for intubation. Airway was protected with a throat pack around the endo-tracheal tube. Fentanyl 1microgram/kg was given as bolus followed by infusion at a rate of 1 microgram/kg/ hour. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane 2% in Group-S, and propofol infusion at a rate of 200 microgram/kg/min. in Group-P. 50% oxygen in nitrous oxide was given in both the groups. At the end of surgery, patients were extubated after reversal of the neuromuscular block. Immediate recovery was assessed by recording the time to breathe spontaneously, time to extubation, and time of spontaneous eyes movements from the time of giving reversal. Ketoprofen 1.5mg/kg intramuscularly was given to all patients before transfer to (PACU). In PACU, sedation score was assessed for 45 min. Intermediate recovery was assessed by TDT and DSST at 15, 30 and 45 min. Time taken to state name and father's name was recorded.

Patients in Group-S breathed significantly earlier than those in Group-P. Group-P showed significantly better performance with TDT at 45 min and with DSST at 30 and 45 min.

We conclude that both sevoflurane and propofol provide early and comparable post anesthesia recovery for patients undergoing nasal surgical procedures.