Day care surgical practice continues to increase in response to rising costs of inpatient hospital care. Hospital space limitations and the popularity of day care surgery with patients further encourage the growth of day care surgeries. Various anaesthetic techniques have been used to ensure rapid recovery from anaesthesia and home readiness. The purpose of this study is to compare the recovery profile after induction with different doses of ketamine combined with propofol in patients undergoing day care surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 90 patients scheduled to undergo laparoscopic tubal ligation. Patients were divided into 3 groups of 30 each. Three different combinations of ketamine with propofol were administered to each group. Recovery profile was studied and results were analysed at the completion of study. Group I  : 7 ml 1% propofol + 1 ml  5% ketamine + 2 ml Normal Saline ; Group II : 7 ml 1% propofol + 2 ml 5% ketamine + 1 ml Normal Saline ; Group III : 7 ml 1% propofol + 3 ml 5% ketamine (Normal Saline not given).

RESULTS: There was statistically significant difference in the mean dose used and recovery profile in Group III when compared to Group I and II. Group III promised a fastest recovery of the activity and consciousness level. The respiration, circulation and oxygen saturation being maintained throughout the surgery patients having mild pain and nausea / vomiting after surgery subsiding by reassurance.

CONCLUSIONS: We recommend that the optimal dose of propofol and ketamine combination is 7ml 1% propofol + 3ml 5% ketamine, as it provides the best operative conditions for the surgery along with fastest recovery using minimum drug volume, dose requirement and produces least adverse outcomes.