RESUMO
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Randomized controlled trials have shown several beneficial effects of intraoperative bispectral index monitoring. We conducted a prospective audit to determine whether these could be replicated in everyday clinical practice. METHODS: Recovery characteristics and drug costs from two 4-week periods were compared, immediately before (phase 1, n = 427 patients) and after (phase 2, n = 299 patients) the introduction of bispectral index monitoring in the main operating theatres of a district general hospital. RESULTS: Demographic and intraoperative variables for the two patient groups were similar. Nausea (P = 0.002), vomiting (P = 0.008) and antiemetic use (P = 0.001) in the postanaesthesia care unit all decreased in phase 2, though unrelated changes in antiemetic policy may have been partly responsible. Recovery time was unaffected. Drug costs decreased in phase 2 by an average of 0.86 pounds per patient. The cost of each semi-reusable sensor was 6.60 pounds. CONCLUSION: In a prospective audit, benefits of intraoperative bispectral index monitoring in our district general hospital were not seen to the same degree as in randomized controlled trials elsewhere.