Longterm functional recovery following day-case laparoscopic sterilisation: inhalational versus TIVA maintenance

In this study we have evaluated the influence of anaesthetic technique on functional recovery and symptom distress following gynaecological surgery. Previous studies in this area focus on in hospital recovery parameters and no anaesthetic technique comparison study has followed patients postoperatively, daily for a week. We studied 99 females undergoing laparoscopic sterilisation; they were randomly allocated to receive either total intravenous anaesthesia with propofol or isoflurane inhalational anaesthesia.The results showed no significant differences between the two groups in respect to functional recovery, nausea, vomiting or pain over the 7 day study period.In both groups, functional recovery was relatively slow; with some patients taking 7 days to achieve normal function and energy levels. We found that 90% of patients required help at home on Day 1.