RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To compare recovery from anesthesia with desflurane and isoflurane by analyzing awakening and psychomotor function. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective study of 30 ASA I-II patients undergoing general or urologic surgery the following variables were assessed before surgery: confusion, fatigue, drowsiness, torpor and pain. The Steward and Trieger tests of psychomotor function were also applied. After induction and intubation, maintenance was with isoflurane (0.6 +/- 0.3%) or desflurane (3 +/- 1.5%) and 60% nitrous oxide with fresh gas at a rate of 1 l/min. After withdrawing the halogen and switching to an open circuit (10 l/min), we counted time until appearance of the first sign of awakening. Clinical variables and psychomotor function were assessed 5, 30, 60 and 90 min later. RESULTS: The two groups were similar anthropometrically. Duration of anesthesia and surgery were also similar. Times until awakening, eye opening, extubation and orientation were shorter in the desflurane group. Scores for fatigue (5 min), confusion (5 and 30 min), motor incoordination (5 min) and drowsiness (5 and 30 min) were also more favorable in the desflurane group. Patients receiving desflurane also scored significantly better on the Trieger test at 30 and 60 min. CONCLUSIONS: Recovery times are shorter with desflurane than with isoflurane. Clinical variables are also more favorable with desflurane and psychomotor function returns more quickly during the first hour after anesthesia.
