Comparison of propofol/alfentanil anaesthesia with isoflurane/N2O/fentanyl anaesthesia for renal transplantation

Total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) with propofol and alfentanil was compared with balanced anaesthesia (BA) in 30 uraemic patients undergoing renal transplantation. TIVA (n = 15) was induced with propofol and alfentanil and maintained with propofol and alfentanil infusions, which were started immediately after induction. Thereafter the infusion rates were adjusted as needed. Ventilation was with oxygen in air. BA (n = 15) was induced with thiopentone and fentanyl and maintained with isoflurane/N2O/fentanyl. Vecuronium was used for muscle relaxation in both groups. Mean infusion rates for propofol and alfentanil were 10 +/- 1.8 mg kg-1 h-1 and 70 +/- 9 micrograms kg-1 h-1, respectively. To control hypertension during TIVA, larger amounts of propofol and alfentanil were needed and slower recovery was observed than in previous studies in ASA 1-2 patients. Also, significantly more vecuronium was needed during TIVA than during BA (P < 0.05). The recovery parameters were similar in both groups, except for the occurrence of nausea, which was less after TIVA. In conclusion, TIVA had no clinical advantages over BA.