Propofol vs isoflurane for gynaecological laparoscopy.

Propofol (n = 15) and isoflurane (n = 15), both administered by clinical and haemodynamic criteria, proved to be equally feasible as sole maintenance anaesthetics (combined with 0.5 mg alfentanil and suxamethonium) for gynaecologic laparoscopies. Two min postextubation, the number of patients awake and responsive to commands was higher in the group given propofol. Later recovery till 2 h postanaesthesia was similar for the groups, except that the propofol patients more frequently required oxycodone for pain relief, and that three of them (NS) were bradycardic. Emesis was rare in both groups. The rapid recovery without emesis qualifies these two anaesthetics for gynaecologic laparoscopies.