Comparison of sevoflurane-nitrous oxide and propofol-alfentanil-nitrous oxide anaesthesia for minor gynaecological surgery

We studied 44 patients undergoing minor gynaecological surgery, anaesthetized in random order with sevoflurane-nitrous oxide or propofol-alfentanil-nitrous oxide. Operating conditions, recovery and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) were assessed. For postoperative analgesia, all patients were given ketoprofen 100 mg rectally at the end of anaesthesia. Patients and gynaecologists were equally satisfied with both anaesthetic techniques. Patients given propofol woke up (3.5 vs 6.5 min), became orientated (5.0 vs 7.5 min) and were able to walk (57 vs 69 min) significantly (P < 0.05) earlier than those given sevoflurane, but there were no differences in times to achieve home readiness (166 vs 149 min) or in psychomotor recovery between the two groups. Intrauterine bleeding and PONV were more common with sevoflurane (incidence of PONV 64%) than with propofol anaesthesia (incidence of PONV 5%). We conclude that propofol-alfentanil is preferable to sevoflurane in ultra-short anaesthesia for minor gynaecological surgery.