We have investigated the effects of two techniques of clinical anaesthesia on human respiratory cilia by measuring cilia beat frequency of nasal tissue. In a randomized, controlled study, 13 patients undergoing either inhalation anaesthesia with isoflurane or total i.v. anaesthesia with propofol and alfentanil had nasal ciliated epithelial samples removed at the beginning and after 1 h of anaesthesia. Mean cilia beat frequency in the group anaesthetized with isoflurane changed significantly from 11.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) 10.7-12.2) Hz to 9.1 (8.1-10.1) Hz after anaesthesia whereas in the group anaesthetized with propofol and alfentanil there was a change from 11.5 (10.7-12.2) Hz to 11.0 (10.2-11.8) Hz (ns). The difference between the anaesthetic agents on cilia beat frequency was significant (MANOVA, P < 0.01). These data suggest that different anaesthetic agents may impair respiratory defence mechanisms to differing extents.
Adult Aged