Sevoflurane has several properties which make it potentially useful as a day case anaesthetic. Following induction of anaesthesia with propofol, awakening from sevoflurane is faster compared to isoflurane, faster or similar compared to propofol and comparable (in the majority of studies) to desflurane. Subsequent recovery and discharge is generally similar following all agents. Sevoflurane may also be used to induce anaesthesia, which is generally well-received and causes less hypotension and apnoea compared to propofol. When used as a maintenance anaesthetic, the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting after sevoflurane is comparable to other inhaled anaesthetics, but this complication appears more common after inhaled inductions. The tolerability and low solubility of sevoflurane facilitate titration of anaesthesia and may reduce the need for opioid analgesia, which in turn may limit the occurrence of nausea and vomiting.

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15066 Background: S-1 plus cisplatin has been reported to be highly active in advanced gastric cancer (AGC). The objectives of this study were to define the maximal-tolerated dose (MTD) of S-1, given for 2 weeks separated by 1 week rest, with a fixed dose of cisplatin, and to determine the activity and safety of this combination regimen at the recommended dose (RD) when used as the first line treatment of AGC. Methods: Cisplatin was fixed at a dose of 60 mg/m2 on D1 and the starting dose of S-1 was 30 mg/m2 bid (level I) on D1 to D14 every 3 weeks. The dose of S-1 was increased by 5 mg/m2 bid up to 50 mg/m2 bid (level V) unless MTD was achieved. At every level, a cohort of 3 patients (pts), which could be expanded to 6 pts, was studied. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were assessed for the first 2 cycles. Results: From February 2004 to January 2006, 62 eligible pts were enrolled. In phase I (N=21), DLTs occurred at level V (S-1 50 mg/m2 bid), with 2 of 3 pts developing G3 diarrhea or febrile neutropenia. The RD was determined at level IV (45 mg/m2 bid) because only 1 DLT occurred out of 6 pts at this level. After the first 20 pts (series I) were enrolled in phase II, the protocol was amended; the S-1 dose was reduced down to 40 mg/m2 bid (level III, series II, N=23) because of poor bone marrow recovery and resultant treatment delay. At the time of analysis, a total of 272 cycles of chemotherapy were administered. The median age was 52 years (28–70) and ECOG PS was 0/1 in 98% of pts. The objective response was observed in 20(47%; 95% CI, 36–66%) of 43 pts. SD was achieved in 15 (35%) pts. With a median FU of 12.1 months (range 9.8–23.3) for all survivors, median PFS was 5.3 months (95% CI, 4.6–6.0 months) with a median OS of 10.0 months (95% CI, 5.1–14.8 months). G3–4 toxicities included neutropenia (33%), anemia (31%), anorexia (24%), and asthenia (14%); however severe febrile neutropenia, abdominal pain, and stomatitis were never observed. Conclusions: The cisplatin plus S-1 regimen incorporating 2-weeks on and 1-week off is highly active against gastric adenocarcinoma with favorable toxicitiy profiles in Korean patients. No significant financial relationships to disclose.