Thirty adult surgical patients (ASA I-II) undergoing superficial operations of short duration (about 1h) were arbitrarily divided into two groups. In group A (n = 15), anesthesia was induced with propofol, 2 mg/kg, iv. After endotracheal intubation with the aid of succinylcholine (1 mg/kg, iv), anesthesia was maintained by continuous iv infusion of propofol (0.05-0.2 mg/kg/min) with nitrous oxide and oxygen (2:1). In group B (n = 15), induction and endotracheal intubation were accomplished using thiopental (4 mg/kg, iv) and succinylcholine (1 mg/kg). Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane (0.5-2.0%), nitrous oxide and oxygen (2:1). Atracurium was used in both groups as muscle relaxant. Hemodynamic responses to laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation and during operation were not significantly different between the two groups. However, recovery to verbal command and orientation was significantly more rapid in the propofol group (7.8 +/- 4.8 min and 11.2 +/- 5.1 min) than in the isoflurane group (15.6 +/- 4.9 min and 22.6 +/- 6.0 min). In conclusion, continuous propofol infusion combined with nitrous oxide and muscle relaxant is suggested as a better method compared with isoflurane for short operations because of more rapid complete recovery.