Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of volatile anesthetics, sevoflurane and isoflurane, on recovery criteria in geriatric patients.

Study Design: Forty ASA I-II patients at the age of 65 years or above, who were planned for elective urological or gynecological operation were randomized to two groups equal in number. Each group received 0.06 mgkg-1 intramuscular midazolam for premedication, and intravenous 1.5 mgkg-1 propofol, 0.6 mgkg-1 atracurium besylate, and 500 µg alfentanil for induction. Anesthesia was maintained with approximately 1 MAC isoflurane in group I, and 1 MAC sevoflurane in group II, and, when necessary, intravenous 0.1 mgkg-1 atracurium. Recovery criteria included spontaneous eye opening, extubation, verbal response, and orientation times at the end of operation.

Results: Compared to the isoflurane group, durations of spontaneous eye opening (p=0.0002), extubation (p=0.0002), verbal response (p=0.0001), and orientation (p=0.0001) were significantly shorter in the sevoflurane group.

Conclusion: We concluded that sevoflurane anesthesia is more advantegous over isoflurane in geriatric patients.