Korean J Anesthesiol.  2006 Aug;51(2):185-189. 10.4097/kjae.2006.51.2.185.

The Optimal Concentration of Alfentanil in Combination with 0.15% Ropivacaine for Postoperative Patient-Controlled Epidural Analgesia

• Hwang SM
• Ko HH
• Lee JJ
• Lim SY
• Chung IY

• KMID: 1936658
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2006.51.2.185

Abstract

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.

Keyword

alfentanil; PCA (patient-controlled epidural analgesia); ropivacaine

MeSH Terms

Alfentanil*
Analgesia
Analgesia, Epidural*
Anesthesia, General
Cough
Humans
Incidence
Alfentanil