Propofol–nitrous oxide versus thiopentone–isoflurane–nitrous oxide anaesthesia for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in patients with sleep apnea

A randomized prospective study was performed to compare the recovery in 41 patients undergoing uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) with either propofol-nitrous oxide-fentanyl or thiopentone-isoflurane-nitrous oxide-fentanyl anaesthesia. The patients were referred to UPPP after examination including polysomnography and otorhinolaryngological examination. The propofol group received propofol 2 mg·kg^-1 for induction followed by an infusion of 10 mg·kg^-1·h^-1 after intubation. The thiopentone-isofiurane group received 5 mg·kg^-1 of thiopentone for induction followed by isoflurane (0.5–2%) after intubation. Other medication was similar in both groups. In the propofol group the patients had a significantly better oxygen saturation during the first postoperative hour ( P < 0.05), and a higher rate of breathing ( P < 0.05), indicating a more rapid recovery of the physiologic control of breathing. Pain as measured by visual analogue score was lower ( P < 0.05) during the second postoperative hour compared with the isoflurane group. Apneic episodes occurred with similar frequency in both groups, and they were related to the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We conclude that propofol is preferable to thiopentone-isofiurane in UPPP operations, because physiologic respiratory control recovers faster and postoperative pain is less intense.