[Efficacy of bispectral index monitoring in improving anesthetic management, economics, and use of the operating theater]

Abstract

This study was designed to assess the efficacy of bispectral index (BIS) monitoring in reducing the amount of volatile anesthetics used and improving recovery profiles. Sixty patients (ASA physical status 1 or 2) undergoing various surgical procedures under sevoflurane/nitrous oxide anesthesia were studied. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups of which anesthesia was carried out with (BIS group) or without (control group) monitoring BIS, and in the latter, anesthesiologist was blinded to the BIS values. In the BIS group, sevoflurane concentration was adjusted to achieve target BIS values between 40-60 during surgery and 60-75 during the final 15 min of the surgery. Drug usage, incidence of intraoperative complications, and recovery parameters were recorded. Demographics were similar between the groups. The BIS values in the BIS group were significantly higher compared with those of control group in which BIS values were blinded during anesthesia. The sevoflurane consumption in the BIS group (17 +/- 3 ml.h-1) was lower than control group (22 +/- 3 ml.h-1). Compared with control group, the patients in BIS group were extubated earlier and became eligible for discharge earlier from recovery room than control group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of intraoperative complications between the groups. Titrating sevoflurane concentration with BIS monitoring during anesthesia decreased anesthetic consumption and improved recovery compared with standard clinical practice.