A comparison of recovery after sevoflurane or desflurane in ambulatory anesthesia.
OBJECTIVE
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.


METHODS
Randomized, double blind study.


METHODS
Ambulatory surgery unit of a large, metropolitan teaching hospital.


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


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Recovery indices and psychomotor function are marginally but not significantly better with sevoflurane than desflurane.
Department of Anesthesia, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
E M
EM
Tarazi
B K
BK
Philip
D000328:Adult; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077335:Desflurane; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008738:Methyl Ethers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D000077149:Sevoflurane
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D000077335:Desflurane; D007530:Isoflurane