Propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia decreases the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting without affecting flap survival in free flap breast reconstruction.

[BACKGROUND] Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) may cause undesirable effects after microsurgical breast reconstruction. Although total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with propofol has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing PONV, it has not been assessed in autologous free flap breast reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antiemetic prophylaxis effect and safety of TIVA in microvascular breast reconstruction.

[METHODS] Eighty-three patients undergoing microsurgical breast reconstruction with propofol (31 patients) or sevoflurane (52 patients) were retrospectively reviewed. The incidence of PONV was assessed at 2, 6, and 24 hours after surgery. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was compared at T (after flap elevation but before transfer), T (15 minutes after revascularization), and T (at the end of surgery).

[RESULTS] The incidence of nausea was significantly reduced in the TIVA group over 0 to 2 hours period (P0.017), and over 2 to 6 hours period (P0.033). The incidence of vomiting was significantly reduced in the TIVA group over 0 to 2 hours period (P0.006), and over 2 to 6 hours period (P0.005). MAP was higher in the TIVA group at T (P0.018), T (P0.005), and T (P0.007). The incidence of flap failure was similar between the two groups (P0.373).

[CONCLUSIONS] Compared with sevoflurane maintaining anesthesia, propofol-based TIVA improves PONV with less fluctuation of MAP, and did not affect flap survival.