Propofol for arthroscopy in outpatients. Comparison of three anaesthetic techniques.

Sixty unpremedicated adult patients, undergoing arthroscopy, received propofol 2 mg kg-1 for induction of anaesthesia, before random allocation to three groups receiving one of the following: a continuous infusion of propofol supplemented with nitrous oxide in oxygen (group I); isoflurane and nitrous oxide in oxygen (group II); a continuous infusion of propofol in combination with repeated bolus doses of alfentanil (group III). The results showed no major differences in cardiovascular variables between the groups. Ventilation rate was highest in group II. Early recovery was less smooth and showed slight impairment in group III compared with the other groups. The data suggest that induction of anaesthesia with propofol followed by maintenance with isoflurane or continuous infusion of propofol is preferable for this procedure.