[Comparative study of recovery times and psychomotor function after anesthesia with desflurane or isoflurane].
OBJECTIVE
To compare recovery from anesthesia with desflurane and isoflurane by analyzing awakening and psychomotor function.


METHODS
In this prospective study of 30 ASA I-II patients undergoing general or urologic surgery the following variables were assessed before surgery: confusion, fatigue, drowsiness, torpor and pain. The Steward and Trieger tests of psychomotor function were also applied. After induction and intubation, maintenance was with isoflurane (0.6 +/- 0.3%) or desflurane (3 +/- 1.5%) and 60% nitrous oxide with fresh gas at a rate of 1 l/min. After withdrawing the halogen and switching to an open circuit (10 l/min), we counted time until appearance of the first sign of awakening. Clinical variables and psychomotor function were assessed 5, 30, 60 and 90 min later.


RESULTS
The two groups were similar anthropometrically. Duration of anesthesia and surgery were also similar. Times until awakening, eye opening, extubation and orientation were shorter in the desflurane group. Scores for fatigue (5 min), confusion (5 and 30 min), motor incoordination (5 min) and drowsiness (5 and 30 min) were also more favorable in the desflurane group. Patients receiving desflurane also scored significantly better on the Trieger test at 30 and 60 min.


CONCLUSIONS
Recovery times are shorter with desflurane than with isoflurane. Clinical variables are also more favorable with desflurane and psychomotor function returns more quickly during the first hour after anesthesia.
Alonso Chico
A
A
Servicio de Anestesiología y Reanimación, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañon, Madrid.
Rodríguez Fraile
J R
JR
Pacheco Jiménez
A
A
Faraco Favieres
M
M
Gutiérrez Rodríguez
M
M
Maroto Ramos
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000077335:Desflurane; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects*
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D000077335:Desflurane; D007530:Isoflurane
Estudio comparativo de los tiempos de recuperación y función psicomotriz tras anestesia con desflurano o isoflurano.