Alfentanil and memory function. A comparison with fentanyl for day case termination of pregnancy.
Two groups of 20 patients undergoing day case vaginal termination of pregnancy received either methohexitone and alfentanil 7.5 micrograms/kg or methohexitone and fentanyl 1.5 micrograms/kg. Their recovery times and memory function at 1 and 2 hours after surgery were compared. No difference in the recovery of the 2 groups was noted but at 2 hours after operation the alfentanil group showed impairment of memory for new facts compared with pre-operative memory function testing. This was not evident in the fentanyl group. Apart from this finding alfentanil was adjudged to be a suitable agent for day case anaesthesia.
D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia / Q000494:pharmacology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015760:Alfentanil; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors
D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia; D015760:Alfentanil; D005283:Fentanyl