Effects of anesthetic maintenance with low-dose etomidate emulsion on the recovery period of patients undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy

Objective To observe the effect of anesthesia maintenance with low-dose etomidate emulsion on the recovery period of patients with gastric cancer undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy. Methods A total of 60 patients with gastric cancer who were scheduled to undergo laparoscopic radical gastrectomy under general anesthesia were enrolled. According to the random number table method, they were divided into two groups (n=30): group E and group P. In group E, low-dose etomidate was used for anesthetic maintenance, while group P was maintained with low-dose propofol. Then, their postoperative recovery time (t₁), extubation time (t₂), and the length of post anesthesia care unit (PACU) stay (t₃) were recorded, while both groups were compared for heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), rate-pressure product (RPP), pulse oxygen saturation (SpO₂), Riker sedation-agitation scores and Steward recovery scores at different time points. Furthermore, the use of vasoactive agents and the incidence of adverse reactions were recorded. Results Compared with group P, patients in group P presented extended t₁ and t₂, with more stable hemodynamics, and reduced use of vasoactive drugs (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in SpO₂, Steward scores and the incidence of adverse reactions (P>0.05). Conclusions Anesthesia maintenance with low-dose etomidate emulsion has little effect on the hemodynamics of patients undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy at the recovery period, which is safe and feasible, and does not increase the incidence of adverse reactions.