Objective To investigate the effect of general anesthesia with sevoflurane or intravenous propofol on anesthesia recovery period in obstructive jaundice patients. Methods Thirty ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ and Child A obstructive jaundice patients were randomly divided into two equal groups (n=15 each). The patients in group S received inhalation anesthesia with sevoflurane and those in group P intravenous anesthesia with propofol during operation for obstructive jaundice. The patients were premedicated with intramuscular phenobarbital 100mg and atropine 0.5mg, anesthesia was induced with midazolam 0.05mg/kg, atracurium 0.5mg/kg, propofol 1.5-2.5mg/kg and fentanyl 4μg/kg. Maintained with TCI of propofol (target plasmaconcentration was set at 3.5mg/L) or sevoflurane inhalation (end-tidal sevoflurane concentration was 2%-3%) and intermittent i. v. boluses of fentanyl. EGG, HR, MAP, SpO<,2> and end-tidal sevoflurane concentration were continuously monitored during operation. Duration of anesthesia, the volume of infusion and fentanyl were recorded, awaking time, extubation and regained consciousness after operation were recorded. Results There were no significant differences between the two groups in average age, sex, body-weight, duration of anesthesia, the parameters of MAP and HR (P>0.05). The awaking time was (7.9±1.5) minutes in group S and (26.1±8.8) minutes in group P. The extubation time was (8.5±2.5) minutes in group S and (27.8±11.2) minutes in group P. The regained consciousness time was (13.1±4.4) minutes in group S and (33.7±12.5) minutes in group P. The incidence of lethargy, fidget were higher in group P than those in group S. Conclusion Both sevoflurane and propofol can provide satisfactory anesthesia for the operation of obstructive jaundice, but the recovery of influence caused by sevoflurane is faster and more steady than that caused by propofol.