[Comparison of the amnesic effects of propofol and isoflurane anesthesia].

Sixty adult patients were assigned to one of 3 groups according to the anesthetic technique chosen: isolfurane inhalation, propofol infusion at a higher rate, and propofol infusion at a lower rate supplemented with epidural anesthesia. When the patients regained consciousness and orientation after surgery, they were shown a digit and asked to confirm it verbally. Memory of the digit was tested on the following day. The percentages of the patients who were able to recall the digit were significantly different among the 3 groups, 5%, 40% and 80%, respectively. We concluded that the amnesic effect of propofol was weaker than that of isoflurane when compared immediately after anesthesia. This tendency was more conspicuous when the dose of propofol was less with epidural anesthesia.