Effect of propofol and sevoflurane on coughing in smokers and non-smokers awakening from general anaesthesia at the end of a cervical spine surgery

The incidence of coughing after cervical spine surgery when tracheal extubation is performed according to clinical criteria is lower after propofol anaesthesia compared with sevoflurane anaesthesia. Smokers are at increased risk of coughing, independently of the type of anaesthesia maintenance. Higher residual concentrations of anaesthetic agents decrease the probability of coughing, except for smokers anaesthetized with sevoflurane.