We tested memory priming for auditory stimuli presented during general
propofol-sufentanil anesthesia in 58 patients undergoing day-case art
hroscopic surgery. Stimuli were presented via headphones and consisted
of common facts (Group A, 29 patients), or familiar and unfamiliar fu
ll names of fictitious people (Group B, 29 patients). Group A was expe
cted to give more correct answers to questions about the common facts
than Group B, when tested postoperatively, and Group B to attribute mo
re fame to presented names than Group A (famous names test). Because t
he process for learning new or unfamiliar stimuli (elaboration) in par
ticular may be impaired under general anesthesia, more memory priming
was expected for familiar than for unfamiliar material. No significant
differences were demonstrated between the two groups in performance o
n common facts or in fame attributed to the names. The amount of memor
y priming, however, was positively related to one of two measures of p
reoperative anxiety.