Comparison of remimazolam-based and propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia on postoperative quality of recovery: A randomized non-inferiority trial

The quality of recovery (QoR) of remimazolam-based and propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia was compared as measured by QoR-15 scores.A prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled, non-inferiority trial.An operating room, a post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), and a hospital ward.Female patients (n = 140; 20-65 years) scheduled for open thyroidectomy were enrolled and randomly assigned to the remimazolam or propofol group.The remimazolam group received continuous remimazolam infusions and effect-site target-controlled remifentanil infusions. The propofol group received effect-site target-controlled infusions of propofol and remifentanil.The primary outcome was QoR-15 on postoperative day 1 (POD1). The mean difference between the groups was compared against a non-inferiority margin of -8. Secondary outcomes were QoR-15 on POD2, hemodynamic data, time to lose and recover consciousness, sedation score upon PACU admission, pain, and postoperative nausea and vomiting profiles at the PACU and ward. Group-time interaction effects in hemodynamic data and QoR-15 were analyzed using a linear mixed model.The total QoR-15 score on POD1 in the remimazolam group was non-inferior to that in the propofol group (mean [SD] 111.2 [18.8] vs. 109.1 [18.9]; mean difference [95% CI] 2.1 [-4.2, 8.5]; p = 0.002 for non-inferiority). The QoR-15 score on POD2 was comparable between the groups, and no group-time interaction was observed. At the end of anesthesia, after extubation, and upon arrival at the PACU, mean arterial pressure was significantly higher in the remimazolam group. Remimazolam group was more sedated at the time of admission to PACU. Pain intensity and the requirement for analgesics were lower in the remimazolam group than in the propofol group.Remimazolam-based total intravenous anesthesia provided a similar QoR to propofol. Remimazolam and propofol can be used interchangeably for general anesthesia in female patients undergoing thyroid surgery.