Anaesthesia for daycare laser tonsillectomy using the Hayek oscillator and total intravenous anaesthesia

Abstract

Twenty-four patients undergoing laser tonsillectomy as a daycare procedure have been anaesthetized by means of total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) and ventilated using the Hayek oscillator. There have been no patients readmitted to hospital and at follow up there have been no complaints related to surgery or anaesthesia, although pain levels appear to show the customary peak on or around the fourth day. One patient was retained in hospital overnight for observation. Both the KTP and Ho-Yag lasers have been used. Numbers were too small to give a significant view as to which laser appeared to give the best surgical results.

Key Words:

• anaesthesia
• daycare
• laser
• tonsillectomy
• ventilation