Comparative Study of Intravenous vs Inhalational Maintenance Anaesthesia on Postoperative Emergence Agitation and Recovery Parameters After General Anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND

Emergence agitation (EA) is a common phenomenon observed in patients recovering from general anaesthesia, potentially leading to self-injury and compromised recovery quality.

OBJECTIVES

This research aims to evaluate the outcome of intravenous and inhalational maintenance anaesthesia on postoperative EA and other recovery parameters.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This research was conducted with 100 patients undergoing elective surgeries under general anaesthesia. Patients were divided into two groups: Group I received intravenous maintenance with propofol, while Group II received inhalational maintenance with sevoflurane. EA was evaluated using the Riker Sedation-Agitation Scale at predetermined intervals postoperatively. Recovery parameters such as time to extubating, orientation, and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) were also recorded.

RESULTS

Group I demonstrated a considerably lower incidence of EA in comparison to Group II (10% vs. 30%, P < 0.05). The time to extubating and orientation was shorter in Group II, but the variation was not statistically considerable. The incidence of PONV was greater in Group II (25% vs. 10%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Intravenous maintenance anaesthesia with propofol is connected with a lower incidence of emergence agitation and PONV compared to inhalational maintenance with sevoflurane. These findings suggest that propofol may be a preferable agent for maintenance anaesthesia in terms of postoperative recovery quality.