Sevoflurane for outpatient anesthesia: A comparison with propofol

B. Fredman, M. H. Nathanson, I. Smith, J. Wang, K. Klein, P. F. White

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

160 Scopus citations

Abstract

Three different anesthetic techniques were compared in 146 healthy outpatients undergoing ambulatory surgery. In Groups I and II, anesthesia was induced with propofol (1.5-2.0 mg/kg, intravenously [iv]) and maintained with nitrous oxide (N2O) 60% in oxygen and either a propofol infusion, 75-160 μg · kg-1 · min-1 IV, or sevoflurane, 1%-2% end-tidal, respectively. In Group III, anesthesia was induced and maintained with sevoflurane, 1%-4% end- tidal and N2O 60% in oxygen. In addition to 60% N2O in oxygen at a total gas flow of 3 L/min, all patients received fentanyl, 2-3 μg/kg IV, and vecuronium, 0.1 mg/kg IV. IV induction of anesthesia with propofol (90 ± 53 s and 94 ± 48 s in Groups I and II, respectively) was significantly faster than inhalation induction with sevoflurane (153 ± 100 s). There were no significant differences in the incidence of coughing, airway irritation, or laryngospasm during induction of anesthesia. Although the mean arterial blood pressure values were similar in all three groups, the use of sevoflurane was associated with consistently lower heart rate values during the early maintenance period. Early and intermediate recovery times were the same in all three treatment groups. The use of sevoflurane for induction and/or maintenance of anesthesia was associated with a higher incidence of postoperative emetic sequelae compared with propofol. Finally, the times at which patients were considered 'fit for discharge' and the actual discharge times were similar in all three groups. Sevoflurane is an acceptable alternative to propofol for induction and maintenance of outpatient anesthesia.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)823-828
Number of pages6
JournalAnesthesia and analgesia
Volume81
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1995

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Sevoflurane for outpatient anesthesia: A comparison with propofol'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this