Abstract:

The aim of this study is to assess the hemodynamic and recovery characteristics of desflurane compared with propofol anaesthesia in children scheduled for tonsillectomy and/or adenotonsillectomy. After the Institutional Ethics Committee approval, 40 ASA I-II status children aged between 4 to 12 years were included in this study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. After premedication with midazolam (0.5 mg/kg; po) 30 minutes before the operation, anesthesia was induced with 0.5 μg/kg remifentanil, 2-2.5 mg/kg propofol and 0.6 mg/kg rocuronium. Maintenance of anaesthesia was provided either with 60 % nitrouse oxide in oxygen and 3 mg/kg/h propofol infusion Group I or 6 % desflurane and 60 % nitrouse oxide in oxygen in Group II. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure and O2 saturation were recorded before and after tracheal intubation, followed by the incision and then every 5 minutes until the end of the surgery. Time to extubation and eye opening to verbal command were recorded. Aldrete Recovery Score was assessed for recovery characteristics at 5th minute and 10th minute postoperatively. The groups did not differ with respect to age, sex, weight and anaesthesia duration. Heart rate increased after tracheal intubation and were significantly high until 20th minute in Group II (p<0.05). Mean arterial pressure decreased significantly after 10th minute and raised to normal values after 25th minute in Group I (p<0.05). The time to eye opening to verbal command were significantly short in Group II (p<0.01). Aldrete Recovery Score was significantly high in Group II at 5th minute (p<0.05). We concluded that desflurane is as good as propofol in maintenance of anaesthesia and even better in recovery in children.

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