OBJECTIVETo compare the effects of propofol target controlled infusion (TCI) and sevoflurane inhalational anesthesia on the hemodynamics and postoperative recovery in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

METHODSSixty ASA IorII patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized into propofol TCI group (group P) and sevoflurane inhalational anesthesia group (group S). In group P, TCI propofol was maintained after intubation until incision closure with the target concentration at 3 microg/ml. In group S, sevoflurane (end-tidal concentration of 2%) was maintained with oxygen flow rate of 2 L/min until incision closure. Fentanyl and vecuronium were intravenously infused according to the depth of anesthesia during the operation. MAP and HR were measured before anesthesia (T(1)), immediately after intubation (T(2)), at skin incision (T(3)), 10 min after pneumoperitoneum (T(4)) and immediately after completion of the operation (T(5)) respectively. Awake time, postoperative nausea and vomiting of the patients were observed after operation.

RESULTSThere was significant difference in MAP and HR at T(4) between the two groups (P<0.05), but not at T(1), T(2), T(3) and T(5) (P>0.05). No significant difference was also found in the awake time between the two groups (P>0.05). The incidence of PONV, however, was significantly lower in group P than in group S (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONPropofol TCI and sevoflurane inhalational anesthesia are all effective in inducing good anesthetic effect, maintaining hemodynamic stability and ensuring rapid recovery, but propofol TCI causes lower incidence of PONV in operations such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy.