Objectives: To compare the cost-effectiveness of inhalation of sevoflurane, target-controlled infusion (TCI) of propofol, intravenous (IV) propofol for induction-inhalation of sevoflurane, and IV propofol for induction-inhalation of desoflurane for anesthesia maintenance in day surgery.
Methods: 240 patients, scheduled for elective day surgery, were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 60 each): inhalation of sevoflurane anesthesia group (group S); TCI of propofol anesthesia (group P); and intravenous propofol for induction of anesthesia-inhalation of sevoflurane for maintenance of anesthesia group (group PS); and intravenous propofol for induction of anesthesia-inhalation of desoflurane for maintenance of anesthesia group (group PD).
Results: Group S was associated with less time to loss of consciousness, as well as the other three groups were associated with less time to recovery (P < 0.05). Group P was associated with a higher anesthetic agents cost than other 3 groups (P < 0.05), and group S was associated with a higher anesthetic agents costs than group PS and PD (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Induction with intravenous injection of propofol and maintenance with inhalation of desoflurane is the most cost-effective method of anesthesia for day surgery.
Keywords: Anesthesia; cost-benefit analysis; day surgery; desfulrane; propofol; sevoflurane.