Comparison of induction and recovery characteristics of propofol and sevoflurane in day care adult tonsillectomies

Ambulatory anaesthesia is a rapidly growing subspecialty. Although its history is as old as the history of general anesthesia itself, it has emerged as a recognized concept and is evolving over the past couple of decades. Propofol and Sevoflurane have increased the ability of the anaesthesiologist to provide a successful day-care experience. The aim of the study was to compare the induction and recovery characteristics of Propofol and Sevoflurane when they are used as single induction and maintenance anaesthetic agent in adult day care tonsillectomies. This was a randomized prospective study carried out after obtaining ethical committee and institutional approval. 60 patients were randomly allocated to either the Propofol or the Sevoflurane group by lots. Each group had 30 patients and was named ‘P’ for Propofol and ‘S’ for Sevoflurane. Their age ranged from 13 to 40 years. All the patients were assessed and those with normal clinical, biochemical, radiological and haematological parameters were selected. Despite the low blood gas solubility of Sevoflurane, inhalation induction of anaesthesia was slower than intravenous induction with Propofol. Though the incidence of induction complications was more with Sevoflurane group, it did not compromise tracheal intubation or haemodynamics except for bradycardia observed in three patients.