Comparison of desflurane and isoflurane in anaesthesia for dental surgery

We studied 50 ASA I-II patients, aged 18-65 yr, undergoing electiveorofacial surgery. Anaesthesia was induced with fentanyl and propofol, andmaintained with 66% nitrous oxide in oxygen and either desflurane orisoflurane to compare recovery characteristics and cardiovascularstability. Cardiovascular responses to induction, intubation and incisionwere similar with both agents, although the increase in heart rate inresponse to intubation was less marked in the desflurane group. Maximumend-tidal concentrations of desflurane required were 4.0-10.6% (mean 6.8%)compared with maximum isoflurane concentrations of 1.1-2.3% (mean 1.6%).Mean duration of anaesthesia was 46 (SD 17.9) min (range 25-89 min) in thedesflurane group and 41 (11.5) (23-60) min in the isoflurane group. Timesto extubation were 6.7 (2.1) (3-10) min and 11.3 (4.1) (5-23) min, to eyeopening 6.8 (2.2) (3-11) min and 12.7 (6.9) (7-37) min, to stating date ofbirth 9.0 (2.3) (4-12) min and 15.0 (6.9) (8-39) and to discharge from therecovery room 45 (11.6) (22- 80) min and 64 (20.9) (28-134) min, for thedesflurane and isoflurane groups, respectively (all P < 0.0001). Noserious complications occurred in any patient.