A Study Comparing Sevoflurane and Propofol in Patients Undergoing Endobronchial Ultrasound Guided Needle Aspiration

This prospective, single-center, observational cohort study was designed to compare the effects of two general anesthesia techniques-propofol based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) and sevoflurane based inhalational anesthesia-on hemodynamic parameters and bronchoscopist satisfaction in patients undergoing endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA).

EBUS-TBNA is a minimally invasive bronchoscopic procedure that allows tissue sampling from mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes or pulmonary nodules. The procedure plays a major role in the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer and other mediastinal pathologies. Although EBUS-TBNA has become an established diagnostic tool with a high safety profile, anesthetic management during the procedure remains a matter of debate. Appropriate anesthesia choice affects not only patient safety and comfort but also the bronchoscopist's technical performance.

Patients scheduled for EBUS-TBNA under general anesthesia were included after obtaining institutional ethics approval. Individuals aged 18 years or older with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III were eligible. Exclusion criteria included incomplete medical records, combined surgical interventions, severe hemodynamic instability, or ASA class IV or higher. All patients provided written informed consent prior to the procedure.

The study population was divided into two groups according to the anesthetic technique used. In the Sevoflurane Group, anesthesia was induced with intravenous agents and maintained using inhalational sevoflurane in a mixture of oxygen and air. In the Propofol Group, anesthesia was maintained with continuous intravenous infusion of propofol. In both groups, anesthesia depth was monitored clinically and adjusted to maintain stable hemodynamics and adequate oxygenation. All procedures were performed with the patient in the supine position under controlled ventilation using a size 4 laryngeal mask airway (LMA), chosen for its ability to maintain a secure airway and allow sufficient space for bronchoscopic manipulation.

Standard monitoring included continuous electrocardiography, noninvasive blood pressure measurement, pulse oximetry, and capnography. Hemodynamic parameters such as heart rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP), oxygen saturation (SpO₂), and end-tidal CO₂ (EtCO₂) were recorded at baseline (pre-induction), after induction, during bronchoscope insertion, at 5-minute intervals during the procedure, and immediately after completion. The total doses of anesthetic and vasoactive drugs, as well as the need for supplemental medications, were documented.

At the end of the procedure the occurrence of complications such as hypoxia, bronchospasm, coughing, or airway trauma were also noted. The bronchoscopist, blinded to the anesthetic regimen, evaluated procedural satisfaction immediately after each case using a standardized satisfaction scale (graded as poor, fair, good, or excellent). Factors considered included surgical field stability, visibility, and patient movement.

The primary outcome measure of the study was hemodynamic stability, assessed through changes in mean arterial pressure and heart rate between groups. Secondary outcome measures included bronchoscopist satisfaction, airway related complications. Descriptive statistics were used for demographic and procedural variables. Intergroup comparisons were performed using Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables and chi-square or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The results of this study are expected to provide evidence regarding the relative advantages and limitations of propofol and sevoflurane anesthesia in EBUS-TBNA procedures. Understanding how each anesthetic technique affects intraoperative stability and procedural comfort can help optimize anesthetic management strategies, improve patient safety, and enhance bronchoscopist performance in minimally invasive airway interventions.

Inclusion criteria

• Adults (> 18 years) with an ASA physical status I-III who provided written informed consent were included.

Exclusion criteria

• ASA ≥ IV
• chronic cough or dyspnea
• preoperative desaturation (SpO₂ < 90%)
• hypotension (MAP < 60 mmHg),
• bradycardia (HR < 60 bpm),
• hypersensitivity to anesthetics,
• any form of organ failure,
• laboratory abnormalities (electrolyte imbalance, anemia, polycythemia, thrombocytosis, leukopenia, or leukocytosis),
• perioperative hypo- or hyperthermia, dehydration, or overhydration.