We found that the antiemetic effect of propofol was considerable in the early postoperative period. The higher cost of propofol as compared to other induction agents can be covered by not using nitrous oxide for maintenance of anaesthesia and by the decreased need for antiemetic drugs postoperatively. According to the calculations of our clinical pharmacy, the costs of the propofol infusion regimen exceeded those of balanced anaesthesia by 8.50 DM/h; the need for antiemetics was one-half that of the non-propofol group. Considering a cost of 16 DM for cleaning the bed after vomiting, improvement of the patient's condition during the postoperative period can be achieved without additional expense.