title: Fentanyl versus sufentanil: plasma concentrations during continuous epidural postoperative infusion in children.
abstract: No pharmacokinetic data are available with respect to the plasma concentrations and fentanyl or sufentanil during epidural administration in children. This double-blind randomized study included 12 children (5-12 yr). Patients in group F were given an epidural loading dose of fentanyl 1.5 micrograms kg-1 and in group S sufentanil 0.6 microgram kg-1. Both groups then received a continuous epidural infusion of bupivacaine 5 mg kg-1 day-1 with either fentanyl 5 micrograms kg-1 day-1 or sufentanil 2 micrograms kg-1 day-1. An epidural PCA system was also given to the children (bolus: bupivacaine 0.2 mg kg-1 and fentanyl 0.2 microgram kg-1 or sufentanil 0.08 microgram kg-1). Maximal median concentrations of plasma (0.117-0.247 ng ml-1 for fentanyl and 0.027-0.074 ng ml-1 for sufentanil) were reached approximately 30 and 20 min respectively after the loading doses. These values were similar to those measured after 48 h.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, Hôtel-Dieu, CHR Nantes, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lejus
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schwoerer
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Furic
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Le Moing
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Levron
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pinaud
mesh_terms: D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000379:methods*; D016058:Analgesia, Patient-Controlled; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000097:blood*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D002045:Bupivacaine; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017409:Sufentanil / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D017409:Sufentanil; D005283:Fentanyl; D002045:Bupivacaine