Comparison of Desflurane and Sevoflurane for recovery profile and airway responses

Abstract

Background: Anesthetics such as sevoflurane and desflurane are widely used for general anesthesia because of their convenience and predictable therapeutic effects. The present study was conducted to compare Desflurane and Sevoflurane for recovery profile and airway responses. Materials & Methods: 60 patients of both genders were divided into 2 groups of 30 each. Group I patients received sevoflurane for maintenance of anaesthesia, and group II patients received desflurane for maintenance of anaesthesia Baseline hemodynamic, and biochemical variables were evaluated. Results: The mean age in group I patient was 45.2 years and in group II was 46.3 years. The mean weight was 65.2 kgs and 66.1 kgs and mean height was 170.2 cms and 171.4 cms in growup I and II respectively. The difference was non- significant (P> 0.05). Opening of eyes (mins) was 11.2 and 5.7, response to verbal commands (mins) was 14.6 and 7.4, orientation to time and place (mins) was 16.8 and 8.2 and total recovery time (mins) was 48.2 and 30.5 in group I and II respectively. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Adverse events reported were hiccups seen in 1 in group I and 2 in group II, laryngospasm 1 each in group I and II and cough 1 in group I. The difference was non- significant (P> 0.05). Conclusion: Desflurane is significantly superior to sevoflurane. Desflurane has faster awakening properties than sevoflurane without an increase in adverse airway events.