Comparative Effects of Remimazolam and Propofol on Intraoperative Hypertension and Hypotension During Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Gynecologic Surgery: A Retrospective Analysis

Medicina (Kaunas). 2025 Sep 22;61(9):1721. doi: 10.3390/medicina61091721.

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Remimazolam is a recently introduced benzodiazepine that has been increasingly adopted as an alternative to propofol. Although several trials have compared remimazolam with propofol, these studies have primarily focused on induction-related hypotension in non-gynecologic settings. To the best of our knowledge, both intraoperative hypertension and hypotension have not been systematically evaluated throughout the full anesthetic course in the specific physiologic context of robot-assisted laparoscopic gynecologic surgery performed in the steep Trendelenburg position with pneumoperitoneum. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, propensity score matching was performed to minimize selection bias. The demographic data of 694 patients, along with the incidence of intraoperative hypertension and hypotension, were collected through a review of medical records. Results: A total of 694 patients met the selection criteria, all of whom underwent total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) using either remimazolam (n = 321) or propofol (n = 373). After propensity score matching, 317 pairs were analyzed. The incidence of intraoperative hypertension was higher in the remimazolam group (66.2% vs. 52.1%; p < 0.001), whereas hypotension was more frequent in the propofol group (12.0% vs. 5.4%; p = 0.003). Conclusions: TIVA with remimazolam was associated with a higher incidence of intraoperative hypertension compared to propofol, whereas propofol was more likely to cause hypotension in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecologic surgery.

Keywords: Trendelenburg position; general anesthesia; hemodynamics; hypertension; hypotension; pneumoperitoneum; propofol; remifentanil; remimazolam; robotic surgical procedures.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anesthetics, Intravenous / adverse effects
  • Anesthetics, Intravenous / therapeutic use
  • Benzodiazepines* / adverse effects
  • Benzodiazepines* / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Gynecologic Surgical Procedures* / adverse effects
  • Gynecologic Surgical Procedures* / methods
  • Humans
  • Hypertension* / chemically induced
  • Hypertension* / etiology
  • Hypotension* / chemically induced
  • Hypotension* / etiology
  • Intraoperative Complications*
  • Laparoscopy* / adverse effects
  • Laparoscopy* / methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Propensity Score
  • Propofol* / adverse effects
  • Propofol* / therapeutic use
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Robotic Surgical Procedures* / adverse effects
  • Robotic Surgical Procedures* / methods

Substances

  • Propofol
  • remimazolam
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Anesthetics, Intravenous