Lung function after total intravenous anaesthesia or balanced anaesthesia with sevoflurane

Abstract

Background: We investigated the effects of total i.v. anaesthesia (TIVA) and balanced anaesthesia (BAL) with sevoflurane on postoperative lung function in patients undergoing surgery in the prone position.MethodsSixty patients, aged 2160 yr, undergoing elective lumbar disc surgery in the prone position were randomly allocated to undergo TIVA (propofolremifentanil) or BAL (fentanylnitrous oxidesevoflurane). Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s, mid-expiratory flow (MEF 2575), and peak expiratory flow were measured before and after general anaesthesia.ResultsBoth groups were similar with respect to patient characteristic data and preoperative lung function parameters. Irrespective of the type of anaesthesia administered, lung function parameters decreased after operation, with the decrease in FVC being greater after TIVA than after BAL with sevoflurane.ConclusionsIn patients emerging from general anaesthesia, postoperative reduction in FVC is greater after TIVA than after BAL with sevoflurane. © The Author [2010]. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Journal of Anaesthesia. All rights reserved.