Comparison of the effects of sevoflurane and propofol on cooling and rewarming during deliberate mild hypothermia for neurosurgery.

BACKGROUND Because the time available for cooling and rewarming during deliberate mild hypothermia is limited, studies of the rate of the cooling and rewarming are useful. The decrease in core hypothermia caused by heat redistribution depends on the anaesthetic agent used. We therefore investigated possible differences between sevoflurane and propofol on the decrease and recovery of core temperature during deliberate mild hypothermia for neurosurgery. METHODS After institutional approval and informed consent, 26 patients were assigned randomly to maintenance of anaesthesia with propofol or sevoflurane. Patients in the propofol group (n=13) received propofol induction followed by a continuous infusion of propofol 3-5 mg kg(-1) h(-1). Patients in the sevoflurane group (n=13) received propofol induction followed by sevoflurane 1-2%. Nitrous oxide and fentanyl were also used for anaesthetic maintenance. After induction of anaesthesia, patients were cooled and tympanic membrane temperature was maintained at 34.5 degrees C. After surgery, patients were actively rewarmed. RESULTS There was no difference in the rate of decrease and recovery of core temperature between the groups. There was also no difference in skin surface temperature gradient (forearm to fingertip), heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure between the groups. CONCLUSIONS Sevoflurane-based anaesthesia did not affect cooling and rewarming for deliberate mild hypothermia compared with propofol-based anaesthesia.