BACKGROUND

The major purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the clinical characteristics of sevoflurane-nitrous oxide and propofol-nitrous oxide anesthesias conveyed by laryngeal mask airway (LMA) in patients for gynecological procedures.

METHODS

Eighty female patients were randomly assigned to one of the two groups: Group I, inhalational induction at vital capacity with 8% sevoflurane and 67% nitrous oxide in oxygen; Group II, induction with intravenous propofol at 2 mg/kg followed by intravenous infusion at 6 mg/kg/hr. The LMA was inserted after loss of response to jaw thrusting. After successful insertion, in group I anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane and 67% nitrous oxide in O2 and in group II anesthesia was maintained with propofol at 6 mg/kg/hr and nitrous oxide 67% in oxygen. Anesthetic profiles, including insertion event, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and hemodynamic alterations were compared.

RESULTS

Demographic data were comparable in the two groups. After induction, in group II unconsciousness was produced 59 sec shorter than that in group I for placement of LMA. Group I had a higher statistically significant rate of cough upon induction, and by the same token postoperative nausea and vomiting. There were no significant differences in hemodynamic alterations, as well as time to open eyes on command, and time to regain orientation.

CONCLUSIONS

Intravenous propofol in combination with 67% nitrous oxide in oxygen technique provided better clinical profiles, compared with sevoflurane-nitrous oxide technique through the use of LMA in gynecological patients undergoing ambulatory short procedures.