Effects of Sevoflurane vs Desflurane on Early Recovery and Cognitive Function in Elderly Patients Undergoing Scheduled Non-Cardiac Surgery

NCT ID: NCT07289945

Last Updated: 2025-12-17

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

PHASE3

Total Enrollment

81 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-09-15

Study Completion Date

2025-04-15

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

The goal of this clinical study is to compare the effects of desflurane versus sevoflurane on early postoperative recovery and cognitive function in elderly patients (aged 60 years and older, ASA I-III) undergoing elective non-cardiac surgery under general anesthesia. The main questions this study aims to answer are:

Which anesthetic agent allows faster emergence from anesthesia (eye opening, response to commands, extubation)? Does desflurane lead to earlier cognitive recovery as measured by the Short Orientation Memory Concentration Test (SOMCT)? Does the choice of volatile anesthetic influence the time required to achieve a modified Aldrete score (MAS) ≥ 9 and PACU discharge readiness? Researchers compared the desflurane group to the sevoflurane group to determine whether desflurane provides a superior recovery profile and minimizes delayed emergence in elderly surgical patients.

Participants will:

Be randomly assigned to receive either desflurane or sevoflurane for maintenance of general anesthesia.

Undergo standardized induction with fentanyl, propofol, and cisatracurium, along with uniform ventilatory and monitoring protocols.

Have emergence parameters recorded immediately after discontinuation of the inhaled agent (eye opening, command following, extubation).

Be evaluated in the post-anesthesia care unit using the modified Aldrete Score (MAS) and SOMCT, with predefined thresholds for recovery (MAS ≥ 9, SOMCT ≥ 20). This study aims to determine whether desflurane-due to its lower blood/gas partition coefficient-offers measurable clinical benefits in terms of rapid awakening, cognitive recovery, and overall early postoperative recovery in the geriatric population.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Delayed emergence from anesthesia and early postoperative cognitive decline represent important clinical challenges in elderly surgical patients, who commonly exhibit reduced physiological reserve, altered pharmacodynamics, and multiple comorbidities. The combination of age-related organ changes, diminished drug clearance, and increased sensitivity of the central nervous system places this population at heightened risk of prolonged awakening, impaired reflexes, and postoperative disorientation. Volatile anesthetics such as sevoflurane and desflurane are widely used in geriatric anesthesia owing to their low blood/gas solubility and generally favorable recovery profiles, yet their comparative impact on early emergence and cognitive recovery remains insufficiently established. This prospective randomized single-blind trial is therefore designed to compare desflurane with sevoflurane in elderly patients undergoing elective non-cardiac surgery, with the objective of determining whether desflurane's lower blood/gas partition coefficient translates into clinically meaningful improvements in postoperative recovery.

Conditions Conditions: Postoperative Delayed Emergence and Early Cognitive Decline in Elderly Surgical Patients Keywords: general anesthesia, elderly, desflurane; sevoflurane; recovery, cognition. Study Design Study Type: Interventional. The perioperative protocol begins with standard patient preparation, including verification of the pre-anesthesia checklist and initiation of monitoring with ECG, pulse oximetry, non-invasive blood pressure, and capnography. Three baseline hemodynamic readings are recorded to establish reference values. Two peripheral IV lines (18-20G) are inserted for fluids and medication administration. Patients underwent a baseline Short Orientation Memory Concentration Test (SOMCT). Anesthesia induction is standardized with Fentanyl: 2 µg/kg, Propofol: titrated to loss of consciousness, Cisatracurium: 0.15 mg/kg to facilitate intubation. Endotracheal intubation is confirmed by capnography. Patients are randomized into two groups:

Group D - Desflurane, Group S - Sevoflurane, maintenance protocol under controlled ventilation targeting ETCO₂ between 30 and 40 mmHg. Volatile agents are discontinued at the end of surgery, and emergence parameters-including time to eye opening, response to verbal commands, and extubation-were recorded by a blinded observer. In the post-anesthesia care unit, recovery is assessed using the modified Aldrete Score (MAS) until ≥9 and SOMCT until ≥20, and discharge times are documented. Hemodynamic, respiratory, and anesthetic variables are continuously monitored throughout the procedure. Statistical Analysis: Data entry and analysis will be performed using SPSS software (version 25.0). Descriptive Analysis: Normally distributed continuous quantitative variables will be summarized as mean ± standard deviation. Non-normally distributed continuous variables will be reported as median and interquartile range \[IQR: 25%-75%\]. Categorical variables will be presented as absolute frequencies (n) and relative frequencies (%). Analytical Analysis: Associations between two categorical variables will be assessed using Pearson's chi-square test when conditions are met; otherwise, Fisher's exact test will be applied. For comparisons between a categorical and a normally distributed quantitative variable, Student's t-test will be used, while the Mann-Whitney U test will be employed for non-parametric data. A significance level of p \< 0.05 will be considered statistically significant. In multivariate analysis, risk estimates will be expressed as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Early Recovery in Elderly Patients Cognitive Function

Keywords

Explore important study keywords that can help with search, categorization, and topic discovery.

elderly desflurane sevoflurane general anesthesia recovery cognition

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

This prospective randomized single-blind trial compares desflurane versus sevoflurane for assessing early postoperative recovery and cognitive function in elderly patients undergoing elective non-cardiac surgery. Primary objectives: evaluate the time from discontinuation of the volatile agent to eye opening, response to verbal commands, and extubation. Secondary objectives include the time required to achieve a modified Aldrete Score (MAS) ≥9, post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) discharge time, and the interval to reach an SOMCT score ≥20. Inclusion criteria: patients aged over 60 years, ASA physical status I-III, scheduled for elective non-cardiac surgery under general anesthesia. Exclusion criteria: pre-existing cognitive impairment (baseline SOMCT \<20), severe hepatic or renal failure, anticipated difficult airway, emergency surgery, or refusal to participate. A total of 81 patients were randomized into two groups to receive either desflurane or sevoflurane for anesthesia maintenance.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Participants Caregivers Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

sevoflurane group

Participants receive Sevoflurane for anesthesia maintenance with a Fresh Gaz Flow of less than 1 L/min.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Sevoflurane

Intervention Type DRUG

Sevoflurane used for anesthesia maintenance with a MAC of 2-3% and FGF of less than 1 L/min.

Desflurane group

Participants receive Desflurane for anesthesia maintenance with a Fresh Gaz Flow of less than 0.5 L/min.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Desflurane

Intervention Type DRUG

Desflurane used for anesthesia maintenance with a MAC of 4-6% and FGF of less than 0.5 L/min.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Sevoflurane

Sevoflurane used for anesthesia maintenance with a MAC of 2-3% and FGF of less than 1 L/min.

Intervention Type DRUG

Desflurane

Desflurane used for anesthesia maintenance with a MAC of 4-6% and FGF of less than 0.5 L/min.

Intervention Type DRUG

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Elderly patients whose ages are superior to 60 years of age \[1\].
* Patients with an American Society of Anesthesiologists Classification (ASA) I, II or III stable (Annex 1).
* Patients undergoing elective non-cardiac surgery under general anesthesia with tracheal intubation.


* Patients having declined to participate in the study protocol.
* Patients with a contraindication for minimal flow anesthesia such as hyperthermia, smoke intoxication and ketoacidosis metabolic condition (for example, anorexia nervosa).
* Patients with history of malignant hyperthermia.
* Patients with Psychotic disorders.
* Patients with substance abuse.
* Patients with severe obstructive or restrictive pulmonary disease.
* Patients with hepatic disease.
* Patients with end stage renal disease.
* Patients with history of allergy to study drugs.

Exclusion Criteria

* We excluded from our study patients who presented with perioperative complication or instability requiring ICU transfer due to extubation failure.
Minimum Eligible Age

60 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

Hopital Charles Nicolle

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

jebri alia

Head of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Department at Charles Nicolle Hospital in Tunis

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Hospital of Charles Nicolle, Tunis, Tunis 1006

Tunis, Tunis Governorate, Tunisia

Site Status

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

Tunisia

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Kim CT, Myung W, Lewis M, Lee H, Kim SE, Lee K, Lee C, Choi J, Kim H, Carroll BJ, Kim DK. Exposure to General Anesthesia and Risk of Dementia: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study. J Alzheimers Dis. 2018;63(1):395-405. doi: 10.3233/JAD-170951.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29614656 (View on PubMed)

Katzman R, Brown T, Fuld P, Peck A, Schechter R, Schimmel H. Validation of a short Orientation-Memory-Concentration Test of cognitive impairment. Am J Psychiatry. 1983 Jun;140(6):734-9. doi: 10.1176/ajp.140.6.734.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 6846631 (View on PubMed)

Jindal R, Kumra VP, Narani KK, Sood J. Comparison of maintenance and emergence characteristics after desflurane or sevoflurane in outpatient anaesthesia. Indian J Anaesth. 2011 Jan;55(1):36-42. doi: 10.4103/0019-5049.76604.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 21431051 (View on PubMed)

Kaur A, Jain AK, Sehgal R, Sood J. Hemodynamics and early recovery characteristics of desflurane versus sevoflurane in bariatric surgery. J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol. 2013 Jan;29(1):36-40. doi: 10.4103/0970-9185.105792.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 23493107 (View on PubMed)

Saha M, Saxena KN, Wadhwa B. Comparative study of recovery of airway reflexes and cognitive function following sevoflurane versus desflurane anaesthesia. Indian J Anaesth. 2021 Apr;65(4):282-288. doi: 10.4103/ija.IJA_1219_20. Epub 2021 Apr 15.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 34103741 (View on PubMed)

La Colla L, Albertin A, La Colla G, Mangano A. Faster wash-out and recovery for desflurane vs sevoflurane in morbidly obese patients when no premedication is used. Br J Anaesth. 2007 Sep;99(3):353-8. doi: 10.1093/bja/aem197. Epub 2007 Jul 9.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 17621601 (View on PubMed)

White PF, Tang J, Wender RH, Yumul R, Stokes OJ, Sloninsky A, Naruse R, Kariger R, Norel E, Mandel S, Webb T, Zaentz A. Desflurane versus sevoflurane for maintenance of outpatient anesthesia: the effect on early versus late recovery and perioperative coughing. Anesth Analg. 2009 Aug;109(2):387-93. doi: 10.1213/ane.0b013e3181adc21a.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 19608808 (View on PubMed)

Gangakhedkar GR, Monteiro JN. A prospective randomized double-blind study to compare the early recovery profiles of desflurane and sevoflurane in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol. 2019 Jan-Mar;35(1):53-57. doi: 10.4103/joacp.JOACP_375_17.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 31057241 (View on PubMed)

Wang C, Li L, Xu H, Lv H, Zhang H. Effect of desflurane-remifentanil or sevoflurane-remifentanil on early recovery in elderly patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Pharmazie. 2019 Apr 1;74(4):201-205. doi: 10.1691/ph.2019.8935.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30940302 (View on PubMed)

Lockwood G. Theoretical context-sensitive elimination times for inhalation anaesthetics. Br J Anaesth. 2010 May;104(5):648-55. doi: 10.1093/bja/aeq051. Epub 2010 Mar 16.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 20233751 (View on PubMed)

Wagner S, Breitkopf M, Ahrens E, Ma H, Kuester O, Thomas C, von Arnim CAF, Walther A. Cognitive function in older patients and their stress challenge using different anesthesia regimes: a single center observational study. BMC Anesthesiol. 2023 Jan 6;23(1):6. doi: 10.1186/s12871-022-01960-7.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36609226 (View on PubMed)

Related Links

Access external resources that provide additional context or updates about the study.

https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241565264

World Health Organization. World Health Statistics 2016: Monitoring Health for the Sustainable Development Goals

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/5206

National Library of Medicine. Sevoflurane \[Online\]. Bethesda (MD): National Center for Biotechnology Information

https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2655326/v1/c05e153e-64fa-4db4-8fbe-6b8d8b5ed052.pdf?c=1681836278

Effect of desflurane and sevoflurane on postoperative cognitive dysfunction: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

FWA 00032748 IORG0011243

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id