A prospective, double-blind study was conducted to compare postoperative recovery after either total i.v. anaesthesia (TIVA: propofol and alfentanil) or an inhalation technique (propofol and alfentanil followed by nitrous oxide and isoflurane) in 50 patients undergoing day-case gynaecological surgery. Psychomotor performance was assessed at 1 and 2 h after surgery using the Critical Flicker Fusion Threshold (CFFT), Simple Reaction Time (SRT) and Choice Reaction Time (CRT). Subjective recovery and side effects after discharge from hospital were assessed using a postal questionnaire. Recovery occurred significantly earlier in the TIVA group as assessed by CFFT and SRT (P less than 0.01); there were no significant differences (P greater than 0.05) between the two groups in CRT, subjective duration of recovery or side effects.
Shackleton Department of Anaesthetics, Southampton General Hospital, Hants.
Br J Anaesth. 1992 Apr 1;68(4):356-9.
AbstractA prospective, double-blind study was conducted to compare postoperative recovery after either total i.v. anaesthesia (TIVA: propofol and alfentanil) or an inhalation technique (propofol and alfentanil followed by nitrous oxide and isoflurane) in 50 patients undergoing day-case gynaecological surgery. Psychomotor performance was assessed at 1 and 2 h after surgery using the Critical Flicker Fusion Threshold (CFFT), Simple Reaction Time (SRT) and Choice Reaction Time (CRT). Subjective recovery and side effects after discharge from hospital were assessed using a postal questionnaire. Recovery occurred significantly earlier in the TIVA group as assessed by CFFT and SRT (P less than 0.01); there were no significant differences (P greater than 0.05) between the two groups in CRT, subjective duration of recovery or side effects.