title: Analgesia for appendectomy: comparison of fentanyl and alfentanil in children.
abstract: During etomidate-N2O vecuronium anaesthesia for appendectomy, three groups of 13 children received fentanyl as a 10 micrograms.kg-1 loading dose and 2 micrograms.kg-1 increments in Group F, alfentanil as a 100 micrograms.kg-1 initial loading dose and either 20 micrograms.kg-1 increments in Group AB or 1 microgram.kg-1.min-1 continuous infusion in Group AI. On the basis of intraoperative heart rate changes, the opioid regimen was less efficient in Group AB (P less than 0.05). Based upon equianalgesic cumulative dosage, the alfentanil/fentanyl potency ratio was in the range of 1/10 to 1/13. The awakening time was similar in all groups, as were the duration of postoperative analgesia, the incidence of postoperative pain and the incidence of nausea and vomiting. We conclude that high-dose alfentanil is as efficient as fentanyl for intra and postoperative analgesia in children undergoing appendectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Jean Verdier Hospital, Bondy, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sfez
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Le Mapihan
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Gaillard
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rosemblatt
mesh_terms: D015760:Alfentanil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000698:Analgesia; D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D008297:Male; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011897:Random Allocation; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015760:Alfentanil; D005283:Fentanyl