BACKGROUND: Sevoflurane has a low blood-gas partition coefficient, resulting in rapid induction and recovery. We compared the effects of sevoflurane with those of enflurane anesthesia on parturients and neonates during and after elective cesarean section. METHODS: Ninety-six parturients were divided into two groups: E (enflurane, n = 47) and S (sevoflurane, n = 49). After endotracheal intubation with intravenous administration of thiopental 4 mg/kg and succinylcholine 1.5 mg/kg, anesthesia was maintained with 50% nitrous oxide in oxygen and enflurane 1 vol% or sevoflurane 1 vol%. Maternal hemodynamic parameters, blood loss, and recovery were monitored. Neonatal outcome was evaluated by Apgar scores, umblical artery blood gas analysis and acid-base status. RESULTS: Recovery times were faster with sevoflurane anesthesia (P < 0.05). All patients in two groups developed transient hypertension and tachycardia after intubation, which returned to baseline in approximately 5 minutes. Maternal blood loss did not differ significantly between the two groups, and one patient in S group developed postoperative recall. Neonatal outcome was equally good in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Parturients anesthetized with sevoflurane for cesarean section recovered more rapidly compared with enflurane without any differences in hemodynamic parameters and neonatal outcome.