Comparison of recovery after intermediate duration of anaesthesia with sevoflurane and isoflurane

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare recovery from anaesthe sia after sevoflurane and isoflurane were administered to children for more than 90 min. Methods: After parental informed consent and ethical committee approval, ch ildren aged between 2 months and 6 years, ASA I or II, were randomly alloca ted to sevoflurane (n = 20) or isoflurane (n = 20) groups. Halogenated agen ts were discontinued following skin closure and patients were ventilated me chanically with 100% oxygen until minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) valu es awake were obtained (endtidal concentrations 0.6 MAC for sevoflurane and 0.4 MAC for isoflurane). Effective perioperative analgesia was provided by a caudal block. Results: The mean (+/- SD) duration of anaesthesia was 132 +/- 38 min and 1 39 +/- 49 min for sevoflurane and isoflurane, respectively. Early recovery occurred sooner in the isoflurane group (time to extubation was 16 +/- 7 mi n and 11 +/- 5 min, P<0.01; Aldrete's score at 0 min was 5.5 +/- 1.5 and 7. 4 +/- 1.8, P<0.001, respectively). But the time to be fit for discharge fro m recovery room was similar at 136 +/- 18 min and 140 +/- 20 min, respectiv ely. Conclusions: After intermediate duration of anaesthesia administered to chi ldren for up to 90 min, isoflurane and sevoflurane allow recovery after app roximatively the same lapse of time.