We compared the haemodynamics, emergence and recovery characteristics of total 
intravenous anaesthesia using propofol/remifentanil with 
sevoflurane/remifentanil anaesthesia, under bispectral index guidance, in 103 
patients undergoing surgical procedures lasting > 3.5 h. Time to tracheal 
extubation was significantly shorter in the propofol group than in the 
sevoflurane group (mean (SD) 8.3 (3.5) min vs 10.8 (4.6) min, respectively; p = 
0.0024), but further recovery was comparable in both groups. There were no 
significant differences in haemodynamic parameters, intensity of pain or 
postoperative nausea and vomiting. During and after anaesthesia of comparable 
depth for long lasting surgical procedures, both propofol/remifentanil and 
sevoflurane/remifentanil enable haemodynamic stability and fast emergence. The 
shorter time to extubation in the propofol group does not offer a relevant 
clinical advantage.