Lung function after total intravenous anaesthesia or balanced anaesthesia with sevoflurane.

Abstract

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. Sixty patients, aged 21-60 yr, undergoing elective lumbar disc surgery in the prone position were randomly allocated to undergo TIVA (propofol-remifentanil) or BAL (fentanyl-nitrous oxide-sevoflurane). Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s, mid-expiratory flow (MEF 25-75), and peak expiratory flow were measured before and after general anaesthesia. Both 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. In patients emerging from general anaesthesia, postoperative reduction in FVC is greater after TIVA than after BAL with sevoflurane.