Comparative evaluation of total intravenous anaesthesia versus inhalational anaesthesia on postoperative recovery in elective abdominal surgery.

The selection of anaesthetic technique markedly influences the quality and speed of postoperative recovery after abdominal surgery, yet no consensus exists on the optimal approach. Therefore, it is of interest to compare total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) using propofol-remifentanil with sevoflurane-fentanyl inhalational anaesthesia in 100 adults undergoing elective abdominal surgery. TIVA patients demonstrated significantly faster emergence, with shorter times to eye opening (7.1±2.3 vs 10.2±3.1 min) and extubation (8.8±2.5 vs 12.7±3.4 min; p<0.001). Post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) stay was reduced in the TIVA group (54.8±13.2 vs 71.6±17.4 min; p<0.001) alongside lower postoperative nausea and vomiting (16% vs 40%) and agitation (8% vs 24%). Patient satisfaction was higher with TIVA (8.8±1.0 vs 7.5±1.5; p<0.001), with postoperative pain and opioid consumption remaining comparable between groups. Overall, propofol-remifentanil TIVA offered faster, smoother recovery and greater comfort without compromising analgesia in elective abdominal surgeries.