The Effect of Continuous Infusion of Alfentanil in Combination with Desflurane

Kim, Dong Hee

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Desflurane provides satisfactory surgical anesthesia when used alone or in combination with N2O or fentanyl or both. The goals of this study were to determine the effect of alfentanil infusion in the presence of desflurane and nitrous oxide.
METHODS
Sixty patients undergoing plastic surgery were anesthetized with desflurane, 50% nitrousoxide, and alfentanil (10mu g/kg loading dose followed by 0.25mu g/kg/min infusion [group 1], 0.25mu g/kg/min infusion [group 2], no infusion [group 3]). The minimum alveolar concentration of desflurane, induction and recovery time, and perioperative side effects according to charge of the alfentanil regimen were checked.
RESULTS
Induction and recovery time were shorter in group 1 (20.2 min, 4.5 min) and group 2 (30.0 min, 4.2 min) than group 3 (48.1 min, 7.9 min) (P < 0.05). Minimum alveolar concentration of desflurane was lower in group 1 (3.6 vol%) and group 2 (3.7 vol%) than group 3 (6.7 vol%) (P < 0.05). Incidences of hypotension and bradycardia were significantly higher in group 1 than group 2 or 3 (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
We recommend 0.25mu g/kg infusion without a loading dose of alfentanil combined with 3.7 vol% of desflurane and 50% N2O as the best combination dosage in plastic surgery to shorten the induction and recovery time without significant side effects.