Cost-Effective Comparison Between Two Anesthesia Techniques: Sevofluorane-Remifentanyl vs Isofluorane-Remifentanyl

We are in the of costs optimization era, reason why it is necessary to make pharmaceutical economics studies to identify the costeffectiveness of today’s anesthetics. Methods: this prospective study, blinded to the patient, compared the direct costs, recovery times and satisfaction of 45 patients randomly assigned to two balanced anesthesia groups (sevofluoraneremifentanil group n = 24 or isofluoraneremifentanil group n = 21) submitted to otorhinolaringology surgical procedures. Results: the times of early recovery (ocular opening, answer to commandos, extubación, orientation and room leave) were smaller in ISO group and had statistically significant difference. Variable data was found in acquisition costs of halogenados gastados, lesser for isofluorane, which also made the anesthetic supplies less expensive during surgical procedures; nevertheless, costs in the delivery room, in recovery and ambulatory room, and the total costs did not show significant differences. Satisfaction was similar between both groups. Conclusions: a sevofluorane-remifentanil based technique is not more cost-effective than to use isofluoraneremifentanil for ambulartory patients submitted to otorhinolaringology surgical procedures.