A comparison of recovery after sevoflurane or desflurane in ambulatory anesthesia

To determine if there is a difference between sevoflurane and desflurane when used as part of a balanced anesthetic technique in terms of time to discharge from an ambulatory surgery unit.

Randomized, double blind study.

Ambulatory surgery unit of a large, metropolitan teaching hospital.

60 ASA physical status I and II adult women undergoing laparoscopic tubal ligation on an outpatient basis.

Patients were randomized to receive either sevoflurane or desflurane as a component of a balanced anesthetic technique. Visual analog scores (VAS) for discomfort, nausea, and wakefulness, and digit-symbol substitution tests (DSST) were completed preoperatively and at specified intervals after extubation.

Time to eye opening, command response, orientation, sitting in bed, sitting with legs dangling, standing, walking, discharge, and departure were measured for all patients. VAS and DSST scores were compared with preoperative baseline scores.

Recovery indices and psychomotor function are marginally but not significantly better with sevoflurane than desflurane.