Modified Deep Extubation vs. Standard Awake Extubation

The proposed study is to compare a modified DE technique, which is regularly used for low-risk patients by staff anesthesiologists at our institution, to a standard awake extubation. This modified deep extubation (mDE) occurs while the patient is still anaesthetized but at a lower dose of anaesthetic gas than previously described, and balanced with long acting opioids to attenuate the airway reaction. As previously stated, the literature shows that the risks of DE are equivalent to those of regular AE practice. Our hypothesis is that mDE will shorten the time from the end of the surgery (completion of last stitch) to the moment the patient is ready to leave the OR by at least 5 minutes when compared to standard AE practice.