title: Recovery from day-case anaesthesia: comparison of total i.v. anaesthesia using propofol with an inhalation technique.
abstract: A prospective, double-blind study was conducted to compare postoperative recovery after either total i.v. anaesthesia (TIVA: propofol and alfentanil) or an inhalation technique (propofol and alfentanil followed by nitrous oxide and isoflurane) in 50 patients undergoing day-case gynaecological surgery. Psychomotor performance was assessed at 1 and 2 h after surgery using the Critical Flicker Fusion Threshold (CFFT), Simple Reaction Time (SRT) and Choice Reaction Time (CRT). Subjective recovery and side effects after discharge from hospital were assessed using a postal questionnaire. Recovery occurred significantly earlier in the TIVA group as assessed by CFFT and SRT (P less than 0.01); there were no significant differences (P greater than 0.05) between the two groups in CRT, subjective duration of recovery or side effects.
authors.affiliation: Shackleton Department of Anaesthetics, Southampton General Hospital, Hants.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Nightingale
authors.forename: I H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015760:Alfentanil; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007530:Isoflurane; D008875:Middle Aged; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D015742:Propofol / Q000494:pharmacology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D015760:Alfentanil; D007530:Isoflurane; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D015742:Propofol