The Effect of Fentanyl and Remifentanil on the Side Effects after Sevoflurane Anesthesia in Children Undergoing Herniorrhaphy

Abstract

Emergence agitation is one of the major problems in pediatric anesthesia. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of remifentanil and fentanyl on the incidence of emergence agitation, postoperative pain and postoperative vomiting after administering anesthesia with sevoflurane. Methods: Thirty ASA physical status 12 children, aged 1260 months undergoing a unilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy were randomized to receive either remifentanil (group R, bolus 0.5μg/kg; infusion 0.2μg/kg/min) or fentanyl (group F, 1μg/kg) after thiopental sodium induction. All patients received sevoflurane for maintenance of anesthesia. Heart rate and blood pressure were measured at baseline (T0), preintubation (T1), postintubation (T2) and 5 minutes after intubation (T3). The agitation score, pain score and incidence of postoperative vomiting were assessed upon arrival at the recovery room (P0), 30 minutes thereafter (P1) and 3 hours after discharge from the recovery room (P2). Results: The agitation score were higher in group R at P0 (P ＜ 0.05). The pain score was higher in group R at P0, P1 and P2 (P ＜ 0.05). Postoperative vomiting was present only in one patient in group F. Conclusions: Adjuvant use of fentanyl during sevoflurane anesthesia revealed advantages over the use of remifentanil concerning the incidence of postoperative agitation and pain without any prolongation of recovery time. PU - Korean Society Of Anesthesiologists