Comparison of the Effects of Desflurane and Sevoflurane on Middle Ear Pressure: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of two inhalation anesthetics, desflurane and sevoflurane, on middle ear pressure. Methods: After we obtained written consent from the patients and the approval from our institutional ethical committee, we included 56 ASA I-II patients aged between 18 and 60 years in this study. They were randomly divided into two groups of 28 patients each. Desflurane 4-6% (Group D) or sevoflurane 1-2% (Group S) were used for anesthesia management in patients. Baseline tympanometry was carried out and recorded before the induction of anesthesia on both ears, and 3 more measurements were done and recorded 5, 15 and 30 min after induction. Results: In both groups, middle ear pressure values were found to be significantly elevated when compared to baseline measurements (p < 0.05). When middle ear pressure was compared between the groups, no difference was found between the values obtained at baseline and at 5 min in Group S, while especially the values obtained at 15 min revealed significantly higher middle ear pressures in Group D. Conclusion: It was observed that the increase in middle ear pressure caused by sevoflurane was significantly lower than that caused by desflurane. (C) 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel