[Value of propofol in microsurgery of the middle ear]

In 21 anaesthetics on patients ASA I-II undergoing middle ear microsurgery, the induction was done by 2 mg/kg propofol and 2 mcg/kg fentanyl. Anaesthesia was maintained by a continuous infusion of propofol 100 mcg/kg/min and bolus injections of fentanyl 1 mcg/kg every 30 min, and controlled ventilation with 60% Nitrous Oxide. The side effects during induction and recovery were minor. After a slight fall in blood pressure at induction, the haemodynamic values were steady during the whole surgery. Haemostasis was always good: the operating field was bloodless in 13 patients (62%), relatively bloody in 8 (38%), but never inconvenient for the surgeon. While recovery happened later than in other studies, the time from eyes opening to complete consciousness was always short, less than 10 minutes. The adjunction of fentanyl could be responsible for the long recovery time. No correlation is found between the infusion rate of propofol and recovery time. All patients but one are satisfied with their anaesthesia, especially with their smooth recovery.