Evaluation of emergence agitation after general anaesthesia in rhinoplasty patients: Inhalation anaesthesia versus total intravenous anaesthesia

Background: Emergence agitation (EA) is a clinical condition that occurs early in recovery from general anaesthesia, and reduces patient comfort. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of low-flow sevoflurane anaesthesia and total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) on agitation in rhinoplasty patients, and to determine the frequency of EA in low flow sevoflurane anaesthesia after rhinoplasty. Material and methods: A total of 90 rhinoplasty patients, under general anaesthesia were included in this prospective randomised study. After induction of anaesthesia, propofol infusion was initiated in the TIVA group (n = 45), and sevoflurane was administered in the SEVO group with a fresh gas flow of 1 l/min and MAC (minimum alveolar concentration) 1-1.1 (n = 45). Early emergence times, Richmond agitation-sedation scale (RASS), Boezaart scale, Likert scale and incidences of nausea/vomiting were recorded at the end of surgery. Results: Early emergence time was significantly shorter in the TIVA group, than in the SEVO group (p < 0.001). Intraoperative bleeding was significantly lower in the TIVA group, than in the SEVO group (p = 0.005), and surgical field image quality and surgeon satisfaction were better in the TIVA group (p = 0.016, p < 0.001). The ratio of patients with RASS > +1 for all patients was 35.6% at 0 min, postoperatively. This rate was 12.2% (n = 11) in the TIVA group, and 23.3% (n = 21) in the SEVO group (p = 0.028). Conclusions: In rhinoplasty, TIVA caused shorter early emergence times, less bleeding, high surgeon satisfaction, and lower EA scores when compared with low flow sevoflurane anaesthesia.