Target-controlled infusion of propofol/sufentanil versus profofol/remifentanil in neurosurgery

Objective To compare the anesthetic effect of target-controlled infusion (TCI) of propofol/sufentanil with that of profofol/remifentanil and recovery of anesthesia. Methods Forty-six patients scheduled for elective neurosurgery were assigned to receive either propofol plus 0.4 to 0.8 μg/L of sufentanil (group PS,n=23),or propofol and 2 to 4 μg/L of remifentanil (group PR,n=23). Then the target plasma concentration of propofol increased gradually up to 3 to 4mg/L. SBP,DBP,HR and recovery of anesthesia were observed in all patients. Results SBP,DBP,and HR were decreased in PS group after induction of anesthesia and propofol infusion (P 0.05),so were SBP and DBP in PR group (P 0.05) with a more significant fall in HR (P 0.01). Hemodynamics was stable during intubation and surgery. All of the patients in PS group recovered smoothly and 13% of the patients in PR group occurred restlessness 2 hours after surgery. Conclusions TCI of either propofol/sufentanil or propofol/remifentanil achieves a satisfactory effect of anesthesia in neurosurgery. Hemodynamics is more stable and recovery of anesthesia is smoother in the use of sufentanil.