title: A comparison of the effect on gastric emptying of alfentanil or morphine given during anaesthesia for minor surgery.
abstract: Twenty patients, scheduled for minor gynaecological surgery, were studied. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with oxygen, nitrous oxide and enflurane. Patients were randomly allocated to two groups: group 1 were given alfentanil 0.2 mg; group 2 were given morphine 5 mg. The rate of gastric emptying was measured indirectly by the paracetamol absorption technique. The results showed that morphine caused greater delay in gastric emptying compared with alfentanil (p < 0.05). The observed effect on gastric emptying rate may potentially affect the risk of peri-operative regurgitation and aspiration. This study provides further evidence that in short day-case procedures, when oral medication may be required postoperatively, alfentanil may be preferable to morphine as an intra-operative opioid.
authors.affiliation: General Infirmary, Leeds.
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bembridge
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D015760:Alfentanil / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008875:Middle Aged; D013511:Minor Surgical Procedures; D009020:Morphine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015760:Alfentanil; D000082:Acetaminophen; D009020:Morphine