Yonsei Med J.  2008 Apr;49(2):204-210. 10.3349/ymj.2008.49.2.204.

Comparison of Remifentanil and Fentanyl for Postoperative Pain Control after Abdominal Hysterectomy

• Choi SH
• Koo BN
• Nam SH
• Lee SJ
• Kim KJ
• Kil HK
• Lee KY
• Jeon DH

• KMID: 1084491
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2008.49.2.204

Abstract

PURPOSE
In this randomized, double-blind study, we investigated the analgesic efficacy and side effects of continuous constant-dose infusions of remifentanil after total abdominal hysterectomy and compared it to fentanyl. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-six adult female patients scheduled for elective total abdominal hysterectomy were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups according to fentanyl (group F, n=28) or remifentanil (group R, n=28) for postoperative analgesia. Patients in group F were given fentanyl intravenously with an infusion rate of fentanyl 0.5 microgram/kg/hr; group R was given remifentanil with an infusion rate of remifentanil 0.05 microgram/kg/min for 2 days. Pain intensity at rest, occurrence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), dizziness, pruritus, and respiratory depression were assessed 1 hr after arrival at the post-anesthesia care unit, at 6; 12; 24; and 48 hr post-operation and 6 hr post-infusion of the study drug. Pain was evaluated by using visual analogue scale (VAS; 0-10). The time that patients first requested analgesics was recorded as well as additional analgesics and antiemetics. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in VAS, time to first postoperative analgesics, and additional analgesics between the 2 groups. The incidences and severities of PONV and opioid related side effects were not different between the groups; however, there were 3 episodes (10.7%) of serious respiratory depression in group R. CONCLUSION: Continuous infusion technique of remifentanil did not reveal any benefits compared to fentanyl. Furthermore, it is not safe for postoperative analgesia in the general ward.

Keyword

Postoperative nausea and vomiting; postoperative pain control; remifentanil; respiratory depression

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Analgesics, Opioid/administration & dosage/therapeutic use
Drug Administration Schedule
Female
Fentanyl/administration & dosage/*therapeutic use
Humans
Hysterectomy/*adverse effects
Infusions, Intravenous
Middle Aged
Pain, Postoperative/*drug therapy/etiology
Piperidines/administration & dosage/*therapeutic use
Treatment Outcome

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