[Comparison of the effect of desflurane with isoflurane in patients over 65 years of age: multicenter study].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects of desflurane (DES) and isoflurane (ISO) in patients over 65 years of age based on recovery, hemodynamic variables, need for additional drugs and postoperative rates of nausea and vomiting.


METHODS
Ninety-eight patients were anesthetized with DES (n = 51) at an inspired concentration of 3% or ISO (n = 47) at a concentration of 0.5%, both combined with 60% nitrous oxide. Anesthetic concentration was later adjusted to maintain hemodynamic variables within 20% above or below baseline. Analgesia was provided with fentanyl and neuromuscular relaxation with atracurium. After surgery, anesthetic gases were withdrawn. We then recorded variables related to anesthetic recovery, postoperative analgesia and the rates of nausea and vomiting.


RESULTS
Mean time (+/- SD) until eye opening was 7.6 +/- 5.5 minutes for patients anesthetized with DES and was significantly less than the 14.4 +/- 8.9 minutes taken by patients anesthetized with ISO (p < 0.01). Patients anesthetized with DES spent 23 minutes less time in the recovery room than did patients anesthetized with ISO (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in need for fentanyl, atracurium, postoperative analgesia, hemodynamic variables or rates of nausea or vomiting.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients over 65 years of age anesthetized with DES recovered in half the time of patients anesthetized with ISO. DES is a safe anesthetic for elderly patients and may offer clinical advantages.
Servei d'Anestesiologia i Reanimació, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona. jcanet@ns.hugtip.scs.es
J
J
Canet
J
J
Roigé
R
R
Bandrés
J M
JM
Campos
M A
MA
Chiveli
J
J
Campbell
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation / Q000009:adverse effects; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000077335:Desflurane; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008297:Male; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D011292:Premedication; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced
D000700:Analgesics; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D000077335:Desflurane; D007530:Isoflurane; D009609:Nitrous Oxide
Comparación de los efectos del desflurano con el isoflurano en los pacientes mayores de 65 años: estudio multicéntrico.