title: Determining the optimal fentanyl dose for dilation and curettage procedures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study attempted to determine an optimal dose of fentanyl, a drug frequently used in dilation and curettage (D&C) procedures, which is commonly performed as a brief outpatient intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  The optimal fentanyl dose was determined using Dixon's up-and-down method. The study was accomplished with a beginning fentanyl dose of 1 microg kg(-1) with a step size of 0.1 microg kg(-1) fentanyl.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ED50 [95% confidence interval (CI)] for fentanyl for successful anesthesia in D&C procedures was found to be 0.45 (0.35-0.55) microg kg(-1) and the ED95 value was 0.50 (0.45-0.60) microg kg(-1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This dose is considerably lower than the standard dose that is used at present, which is 1 microg kg(-1). To the best of our knowledge, the current study is the first to show that a significantly reduced dose of fentanyl can be as effective as higher doses in D&C procedures using Dixon's up-and-down method.
authors: Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Medicine, Aydin, Turkey. drmustafaogurlu@yahoo.com
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Uğur
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Oğurlu
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Yilmaz
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Kivrak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004107:Dilatation and Curettage; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D005283:Fentanyl