BACKGROUND: The lower levels of cardiotoxicity and motor block make ropivacaine well suited as an epidural infusion for postoperative analgesia. This study examined the analgesic efficacy of an epidural infusion of ropivacaine alone and in combination with alfentanil after major abdominal surgery. METHODS: Thirty patients undergoing major abdominal surgery under general anesthesia were divided into two groups receiving patient-controlled thoracic epidural analgesia with 0.2% ropivacaine (Group I) and 0.15% ropivacaine +150 microgram/ml alfentanil (Group II). The motor block, side effects, VAS (visual analog pain scale) score on coughing and resting, additional analgesics use, and patient's satisfaction were checked for 24 hours after a loading dose injection. RESULTS: The VAS score in group II was significantly lower than in group I, and the patients in group II were more satisfied than those in group I (P < 0.05). However, there were more side effects in group II. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative epidural infusion of 0.15% ropivacaine with 150 microgram/ml alfentanil is more effective than 0.2% ropivacaine only.
Alfentanil* ; Analgesia* ; Analgesia, Epidural ; Analgesics ; Anesthesia, General ; Cough ; Humans

BACKGROUND: The aim of this randomized double-blinded study was to determine the optimal concentration of alfentanil with 0.15% ropivacaine for postoperative patient-controlled epidural analgesia. METHODS: Forty five patients undergoing major abdominal surgery under general anesthesia were assigned to groups receiving patient-controlled thoracic epidural analgesia with 0.15% ropivacaine + 45 microgram/ml alfentanil (Group I), 75microgram/ml alfentanil (Group II), 150 microgram/ml alfentanil (Group III). The incidence of side effects and additional analgesic use, VAS (visual analog pain scale) on resting and coughing, and patient's satisfaction were checked for 24 hours after a loading dose injection. RESULTS: The VAS on coughing and resting 1 hour after the loading dose injection were significantly lower in Groups II and III than in Group I. The patients in group II were more satisfied with the result than those in Group I. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of 0.15% ropivacaine and 75microgram/ml alfentanil for thoracic epidural analgesia after major abdominal surgery provides the best analgesia with minimal side effects and a higher level of patient's satisfaction.
Alfentanil* ; Analgesia ; Analgesia, Epidural* ; Anesthesia, General ; Cough ; Humans ; Incidence

BACKGROUND: We performed a prospective, randomized, controlled trial to compare the quality, hemodynamic response, and recovery index of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion after either propofol alone or co-administration of alfentanil-propofol anesthesia. METHODS: Sixty patients (ASA 1 or 2, 17-63 years) were randomly allocated to control and experimental group. Control group(Group I) was received placebo (saline), experimental groups were received alfentanil 10microgram/kg (Group II), 20microgram/kg (Group III), 30microgram/kg (Group IV). RESULTS: Loss of consciousness and LMA insertion were more rapid in patients with alfentanil 30 microgram/kg group than control group (P<0.05). In alfentanil 20microgram/kg group, loss of consciousness was more rapid than control group. Also, there were significant differences in propofol induction dose, effect site concentration on induction, and propofol maintenance dose between control and experimental group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that co-adminstration of alfentanil-propofol, especially 30microgram/kg group, compares favorably with propofol alone, although LMA removal time is prolonged.
Alfentanil ; Anesthesia ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Laryngeal Masks* ; Propofol* ; Prospective Studies ; Unconsciousness

BACKGROUND: Alfentanil has been shown to act synergistically if combined with propofol, with or without nitrous oxide, or if combined with potent inhalation anesthetics. The goal of this study was to determine the dosing rate and target plasma concentration of propofol to supplement nitrous oxide in the presence of varying concentrations of alfentanil and to determine the optimal combination of propofol and alfentanil. METHODS: Sixty patients undergoing a total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) were anesthetized with nitrous oxide, and given a target-controlled infusion (TCI) of alfentanil [target plasma concentrations of 0 (A0 group), 50 ng/ml (A50 group), and 100 ng/ml (A100 group)], and propofol at rates varied up and down depending on the bispectal index (BIS). The mean target concentration (Tc) and infusion rate of propofol according to changes of concentrations of alfentanil were determined. Recovery time (from infusion stop to eye opening) and side effects were compared. RESULTS: Induction time and recovery time were shortened in the A50 group and A100 group compared with the A0 group (P < 0.05). The infusion rate and mean target concentration of propofol were significantly lower in the A100 group (7.5 mg/kg/h, 3.4ng/ml) than the A0 (12.6 mg/kg/h, 4.5ng/ml) and A50 (10.2 mg/kg/h, 4.0ng/ml) groups (P < 0.01). Side effects did not differ among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: The optimal blood propofol and plasma alfentanil concentration, with respect to satisfactory intraoperative anesthetic conditions and speed of recovery, are 4.0ng/ml and 50 ng/ml or 3.4ng/ ml and 100 ng/ml in TAH patients.
Alfentanil* ; Anesthetics, Inhalation ; Humans ; Hysterectomy* ; Nitrous Oxide ; Plasma ; Propofol*

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative alfentanil is known to increase the epileptic discharge in the adult seizure patients. This study hypothesized that alfentanil might localize an epileptogenic focus in pediatric seizure patients. METHODS: This study was performed in the pediatric seizure patients who undergo second-staged operation. Thirteen pediatric patients were enrolled and their epileptic foci were already suspected from first operation. After anesthetic induction, sevoflurane was maintained at 0.6% end-tidal concentration for study period. Electrocorticography (ECoG) was recorded for 5 minutes before and 5 minutes after alfentanil 20microgram/kg IV. During the ECoG recordings, the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were continuously monitored. After the surgery, a pediatric neurologist analyzed the changes of spike frequencies of suspected ictal zone. The spike frequencies of suspected non-ictal zone were also calculated in five patients. The suspected ictal zone was defined as the most abundant spontaneous spiking area observed after first staged grid insertion. RESULTS: Alfentanil induced a significant increase in spike activity of suspected ictal zone in 12 out of 13 patients (median of 20 [ranged 10 to 100] vs 38 [ranged 20 to 100], P< 0.05). Alfentanil-induced increase of spike activity was prominent in the suspected ictal zone rather than non-ictal zone. There were no significant changes in the MAP and HR after administration of alfentanil. CONCLUSIONS: Alfentanil activates epileptiform activity of suspected ictal zone in pediatric patients with seizure disorder and can be used to assist in the localization of the epileptogenic focus during seizure surgery.
Adult ; Alfentanil* ; Arterial Pressure ; Epilepsy* ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Seizures*

BACKGROUND: The administration of short-acting opioids before emergence is useful for preventing emergence cough induced by an endotracheal tube. This study examined the clinically effective dose of alfentanil for suppressing cough during emergence from desflurane anesthesia. METHODS: Twenty-nine adult patients undergoing elective oral surgery were enrolled in this study. During emergence from anesthesia, the patients received alfentanil diluted in 10 ml normal saline when the end-tidal vol% of desflurane decreased to 3%. The initial alfentanil dose was 16 microg/kg. The alfentanil dose for consecutive patients, determined by Dixon's up-and-down method, increased or decreased by 2 microg/kg according to a previous patient's result. RESULTS: The 50% effective dose (ED50) of alfentanil for suppressing cough during emergence from desflurane anaesthesia was 9.3 +/- 1.5 microg/kg according to Dixon's up-and-down method. Isotonic regression revealed an ED50 and ED95 (95% confidence interval) of alfentanil 10.0 microg/kg (6.8-13.2 microg/kg) and 14.0 microg/kg (7.7-19.4 microg/kg), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The ED95 of alfentanil for suppressing emergence cough was 14.0 microg/kg. A single bolus administration of alfentanil during emergence from anesthesia was useful for suppressing emergence cough.
Adult ; Alfentanil ; Analgesics, Opioid ; Anesthesia ; Cough ; Humans ; Isoflurane ; Surgery, Oral

BACKGROUND: The present study was designed to examine the effect of a combination of nicardipine and low dose alfentanil on hemodynamic response following endotracheal intubation. METHODS: Thirty patients (20-65 yr) were assigned randomly to receive nicardipine (N: 20microgram/kg) or a combination of nicardipine and low dose of alfentanil (NA: nicardipine 10microgram/kg and alfentanil 5microgram/kg). Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate (HR) were measured at 1, 2 min after anesthetic induction, and every minute for 5 min after intubation. RESULTS: The magnitude of increases in SBP and DBP were non-significantly smaller in the NA group than in the N group, and increase in HR were significantly lower in the NA group. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the nicardipine with alfentanil combination was more effective than nicardipine alone at attenuating blood pressure and heart rate increases following intubation.
Alfentanil* ; Blood Pressure ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Intubation ; Intubation, Intratracheal* ; Nicardipine*

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical effective dose of alfentanil required for successful tracheal intubation during inhalation induction using 5% sevoflurane without neuromuscular blockade in children sedated with ketamine. METHODS: Twenty-one children, aged 3-10 years, undergoing surgeries under general anesthesia were enrolled into the study. All patients were premedicated with 0.004 mg/kg glycopyrrolate intramuscularly 30 min before anesthesia.To facilitate separation of the child from the parents, intravenous 1 mg/kg ketamine was given prior to transfer into the operating room.After inhalation induction with 5% sevoflurane and 100% oxygen, pre-determined dose of alfentanil was injected over 20 sec. The dose of alfentanil was determined by modified Dixon's up-and-down method (2microgramkg as a step size starting from 12microgramkg).The study ended when six independent pairs of patients, who manifested cross over from 'failure' to 'success' for tracheal intubation, were recruited. RESULTS: In 50% of children, the effective bolus dose (ED50) (95% confidence intervals) of alfentanil for successful tracheal intubation was 7.2microgram/kg (6.3-8.1microgram/kg) during sevoflurane inhalation induction.From isotonic regression, 95% effective dose (ED95) (95% confidence intervals) of alfentanil was 9.9microgram/kg (2.2-16.0microgram/kg). CONCLUSIONS: During inhalation induction using 5% sevoflurane without neuromuscular blockade after ketamine sedation, the ED50 and ED95 of alfentanil for successful tracheal intubation were 7.2 microgram/kg and 9.9microgram/kg in children, respectively.
Aged ; Alfentanil ; Anesthesia, General ; Child ; Glycopyrrolate ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Intubation ; Ketamine ; Methyl Ethers ; Neuromuscular Blockade ; Oxygen ; Parents

BACKGROUND: The injection of rocuronium causes pain and withdrawal responses.This study was designed to determine an optimal dose of alfentanil to prevent the withdrawal responses associated with injection of rocuronium in children. METHODS: One hundred and ten ASA physical status I and II pediatric patients were randomly allocated into four groups; Group C (control; normal saline 3 ml, n = 28), Group A5 (alfentanil 5microgram/kg, n = 28), Group A10 (alfentanil 10microgram/kg, n = 27) and Group A15 (alfentanil 15microgram/kg, n = 27). After the induction of anesthesia with 5 mg/kg of thiopental sodium, the test drug was injected over 20 seconds, respectively. After one minute, rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg was injected over 5 seconds. The patient's response after injection was graded using a four-point scale. Additionally, the mean arterial pressure and heart rate were recorded upon arrival in the operating room, as well as 1 min before and 1 min after tracheal intubation. RESULTS: The incidence of withdrawal responses was 96%, 61%, 19% and 19% in groups C, A5, A10 and A15, respectively. The incidence and severity of withdrawal responses in group A10 and A15 were lower than group C and A5. CONCLUSIONS: After thiopental injection, alfentanil 10microgram/kg prevent the withdrawal responses on injecting rocuronium in pediatric patients.
Alfentanil ; Androstanols ; Anesthesia ; Arterial Pressure ; Benzeneacetamides ; Child ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intubation ; Operating Rooms ; Piperidones ; Thiopental

BACKGROUND: Intravenous alfentanil is one of the effective methods to minimize the hemodynamic responses to laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation. The purpose of this study is to get effective dose (ED50, ED95) of alfentanil to minimize the hemodynamic responses to laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation. METHODS: Sixty patients were divided into four groups. Each group received intravenous normal saline 5 ml (Control group), alfentanil 10microgram/kg (Al10), alfentanil 20microgram/kg (Al20) and alfentanil 30microgram/kg (Al30), respectively. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were measured before and after intubation. We considered the doses of alfentanil effective when the increase in MAP and HR after intubation did not exceed 10% of those before intubation. RESULTS: The ED50 of alfentanil was 12.7 (8.6-16.4)microgram/kg for MAP, 20.1 (15.7-25.6)microgram/kg for HR, respectively. The ED95 of alfentanil was 26.4 (21.7-36.2)microgram/kg for MAP, 38.6 (31.2-56.7)microgram/kg for HR, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Alfentanil was effective to minimize the hemodynamic responses to laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation with its ED50 and ED95 as mentioned earlier.
Alfentanil* ; Arterial Pressure ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Intubation ; Intubation, Intratracheal* ; Laryngoscopy*