Recovery from day-stay anaesthesia--a comparison of an intravenous and inhalational technique of maintenance.

In 60 patients undergoing minor day-stay surgical procedures, a standard inhalational technique of anaesthetic maintenance (halothane/nitrous oxide/oxygen) was compared with incremental dose methohexitone supplemented by nitrous oxide/oxygen. The methohexitone group showed faster immediate recovery but slower overall recovery at four hours. No difference was found in the incidence of minor sequelae up to 24 hours after anaesthesia.