Sevoflurane versus propofol anesthesia in patients undergoing lumbar spondylodesis: A randomized trial

Background: Spondylodesis is a procedure aiming at providing stability in one or more spinal segments. The aim of our study was to compare sevoflurane and propofol as induction and maintenance agents, focusing on hemodynamic stability, recovery characteristics, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and pain intensity. Materials and methods: Seventy patients, with a physical status according to American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I-II, 50-72 y old, undergoing selective lumbar spondylodesis were enrolled. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between groups in overall mean hemodynamic parameters. No differences in fluid administration and vasoactive substances used were noted. Postoperatively, there was a significant difference in overall mean visual analog score at rest and at cough, with the sevoflurane group showing lower values. No differences in the incidence of nausea, vomiting, shivering, postoperative sedation scores, and orientation to place were revealed. Orientation to time exhibited a statistically significant difference at the time just after transfer to the post-anesthesia care unit, where more patients of the sevoflurane group seemed to be well oriented. Conclusions: Sevoflurane and propofol anesthesia for lumbar spondylodesis surgery provide safe and comparable results. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.