Monitored Anesthesia Care Using Remifentanil and Ketofol Results in a Superior Quality of Recovery Compared With Total Intravenous Anesthesia in Ambulatory Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation surgery is commonly performed on an ambulatory basis under under general anesthesia (GA) with propofol and remifentanil or local anesthesia (LA). Although surgeons perform this operation comfortably under GA, Patients have anxiety and fear of complications due to GA. In addition, they expect a good postoperative quality of recovery (QOR) including ability to resume common activities (work and daily activities) without suffering from moderate to severe pain.

The LA is advantageous over GA in that airway instrumentation is not necessary, favorable recovery profile, decrease postoperative pain and vomiting, increase patient satisfaction and decrease the cost . However, patient anxiety or pain often leading to conversion of LA to GA, which suggests the concomitant use of i.v. sedatives and analgesics as a supplement to LA.

The combination of remifentanil and ketofol (propofol, ketamine) for sedation during regional anesthesia and LA has been shown to be a safe, effective technique, capable of maintains adequate analgesia with conscious sedation, haemodynamic stability, and achieves lower incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting with shorter recovery times.