Recovery from anaesthesia in outpatients: a comparison of narcotic and inhalational techniques

Forty-one patients undergoing outpatient anaesthesia and operation were studied. Nineteen received inhalation agents. Twenty-two received narcotics. Up to one hour post-operatively, patients who received inhalation anaesthesia performed significantly better than did those who received narcotics. After 60 minutes there was no significant difference between the two groups. It is suggested that narcotics be avoided in patients who will be discharged within one hour of anaesthesia. A small number of patients exhibited slow recovery. It is suggested that these may be patients at risk and that special care be exercised.