[Comparative study of recovery in neurosurgery after continuous perfusion of etomidate or propofol]

Two groups of patients were studied. Patients in group 1 were given 0.3 mg.kg-1 IV etomidate, 5 micrograms.kg-1 fentanyl and 0.6 mg.kg-1 atracurium for induction. Maintenance was obtained using continuous infusion of etomidate and fentanyl. Patients in group 2 were given propofol for induction and maintenance. Recovery was assessed with three parameters: time to recovery of spontaneous ventilation (SV), time to obey oral order (OO), and time to obey written order (WO). Time to OO and WO were significantly shorter in group 2.