Effect of intrathecal sufentanil on isoflurane requirements during lower abdominal surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of intrathecal sufentanil on volatile anesthetic requirements during lower abdominal surgery.


METHODS
Randomized, double-blind study.


METHODS
Military tertiary care hospital.


METHODS
15 female patients, ASA status I and II, undergoing elective lower abdominal surgery.


METHODS
After induction of anesthesia, each patient had a lumbar puncture performed with a 24-gauge Sprotte needle through a Tuohy needle positioned in the epidural space to receive either intrathecal sufentanil 10 micrograms or intrathecal normal saline (control). An epidural catheter was then placed for use in postoperative analgesia. Anesthesia was maintained in all patients with isoflurane, air, and oxygen. Gas flows were constant and the isoflurane concentration was adjusted at 5-minute intervals to maintain systolic blood pressure within 20% of preoperative baseline.


RESULTS
The mean end-tidal isoflurane concentration during the first hour of surgery was significantly lower in the sufentanil group (0.74 +/- 0.02%) compared with the control group (1.05 +/- 0.03%) (p = 0.006), an overall reduction of 28% in the isoflurane requirement.


CONCLUSIONS
Prior administration of intrathecal sufentanil significantly decreases the isoflurane requirement in surgical patients, in addition to its previously demonstrated rapid onset and receptor efficacy.
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Utah Medical Center, Salt Lake City 84132, USA.
J D
JD
Swenson
R M
RM
Hullander
D
D
Leivers
D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery*; D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000328:Adult; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011184:Postoperative Period; D013129:Spinal Puncture; D017409:Sufentanil / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D017409:Sufentanil; D007530:Isoflurane