Standard Anesthetic Technique for Middle Ear Surgical Procedures: A Comparison of Desflurane and Sevoflurane

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to compare desflurane and sevoflurane anesthesia for middle ear microsurgery. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred healthy adults undergoing middle ear surgery were assigned to receive either desflurane or sevoflurane as their anesthetic. Intraoperative hemodynamics and BIS numbers were recorded. Hemodynamics, pain, nausea/vomiting, discharge readiness, and other parameters were compared postoperatively and 24 hours later. RESULTS: No intraoperative differences were noted except in BIS scores which trended lower with desflurane. PACU blood pressures were higher after desflurane but pain scores, nausea/vomiting, rescue anti-emetics, recovery scores, and discharge times were similar. A significant difference was noted in anesthetic costs (desflurane > sevoflurane), and in patients with the lowest BIS scores associated with more nausea/vomiting. CONCLUSIONS: Both anesthetics may be used for ototic surgery but propofol anesthesia should still be considered in patients with a history of emetic sequelae. SIGNIFICANCE: Short-acting inhalational anesthetics produce excellent operating conditions and reduce costs for otologic surgery.