A comparison of alfentanil, halothane and enflurane for day-case gynaecological surgery

Sixty patients received either alfentanil, halothane or enflurane for maintenance of anaesthesia during short day-case gynaecological procedures. The alfentanil group recovered more rapidly but there was no difference between halothane and enflurane in terms of recovery time. Apnoea and movement during surgery only occurred in the patients who received alfentanil. The incidence of other side effects was the same in each group, including late subjective feelings of drowsiness and unsteadiness.