Comparison of surgical field quality and emergence time during endoscopic sinus surgery using propofol or desflurane: A randomized clinical trial

Objectives: Hypotensive anesthesia is necessary during endoscopic sinus surgery to achieve a bloodless surgicalfield. The aim of this study was to compare the quality of surgical field using propofol or desflurane anesthesia.Methodology: 40 patients of either sex, belonging to ASA physical status I and II, and age group of 18 - 60years were randomized into two groups to receive either propofol and morphine or desflurane and morphineanesthesia. The target mean arterial pressure (MAP) was kept in a range of 65-75 mmHg. The quality of surgicalfield was assessed by using a validated scoring system (Fromme category scale) at every 15 min by the samesurgeon in all the cases to avoid surgeon’s bias.Results: The mean category scale value was 2.665 ± 0.243 in propofol group and 2.200 ± 0.410 in desfluranegroup (p=0.000). The time to emergence was significantly less in desflurane group (9.35 ± 1.27) as comparedto propofol group (14.60 ± 2.06 min).Conclusion: We conclude that both the propofol and desflurane can be used to achieve a satisfactory surgicalfield quality but desflurane provides a rapid emergence as compared to propofol.