The effect of different anesthetic agents on emergence agitation in vitreoretinal surgery: a retrospective study

Objective: Emergence agitation is a clinical condition that arises in the early periods of recovery from general anesthesia and reduces patient comfort. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively compare the effects of different inhalational agents on emergence agitation in patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 254 patients classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I-III who underwent vitreoretinal surgery between January 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, were included. The patients were divided into two groups based on the anesthetic agents used: Group S (Sevoflurane) and Group D (Desflurane). Standard monitoring values (systolic and diastolic blood pressures, heart rates, mean arterial pressure, peripheral oxygen saturation, electrocardiogram, end-tidal carbon dioxide), five-item extubation quality scores, and Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) values at emergence (0 minutes) were collected from the patients' follow-up forms, along with monitoring values at the recovery unit (15 minutes, 30 minutes), RASS values, presence of nausea and vomiting, and additional analgesic requirements. Results: No statistically significant difference was found between the groups regarding demographic data, surgery, and anesthesia durations. When hemodynamic parameters were compared between groups, heart rate values at 30 and 60 minutes and mean arterial pressure values at 45 minutes in Group D were significantly higher than those in Group S. Additionally, no significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of extubation quality score, Richmond agitation scale, and compliance with commands. Conclusion: In our study, it was determined that there was no difference in emergence agitation among various inhalational anesthetics used for the maintenance of general anesthesia in patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery, although differences were noted in hemodynamic data. Keywords: Vitreoretinal Surgery, Desflurane, Sevoflurane, Anesthesia, Emergence Agitation