Effects of propofol combined with remifentanil or sufentanil on cognitive function in patients undergoing awake craniotomy

Objective To investigate the effect of propofol combined with remifentanil or sufentanil on cognitive function in patients undergoing awake craniotomy. Methods Sixty ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ neurosurgical patients undergoing resection of glioma in cerebral cortical functional area were divided into 2 groups by random digits table: propofol + remifentanil (group RF, 30 cases) and propofol + sufentanil (group SF, 30 cases). Scalp nerve block and local infiltration of incision and dura mater were performed in both groups with 0.5% ropivacaine. Propofol, remifentanil and sufentanil were administered by target controlled infusion. The target plasma concentration of remifentanil was set at 1-2 ng/ml and that of sufentanil at 0.1-0.2 ng/ml,propofol was set at 3-6 μg/ml at open skull stage. The patients were inserted laryngeal mask and mechanically ventilated. Bispectral index (BIS) was monitored as the depth of anesthesia. Mini-mental scale examination (MMSE) was investigated at the time of preoperative,intraoperative wake-up after the patients had been targeted capacity. Results Blood concentration of propofol in group RF was (1.10 ± 0.06)μg/ml, group SF was (0.98 ± 0.05)μ g/ml in patients during intraoperative wake-up. BIS in group RF changed from 46.4 ± 2.5 to 90.8 ± 3.2 during wake-up, group SF from 44.8 ± 2.1 to 89.9 ± 3.2. The cognitive function score was not significantly different at the time of preoperative and intraoperative assessment. Conclusion Propofol combined with remifentanil or sufentanil has no effect on cognitive function for the patients undergoing awake craniotomy. Key words: Anesthetics,combined; Cognition; Wakefulness