Continuous alfentanil infusion in pediatric patients undergoing general anesthesia for complete oral restoration

Abstract

Study objective: To study the safety and efficacy of continuous alfentanil infusions in children.

Design: Randomized open study.

Setting: Outpatient pediatric anesthesia at a university medical center.

Patients: Forty pediatric patients aged 2 to 12 years about to undergo anesthesia for complete oral restoration.

Interventions: Twenty patients were anesthetized with halothane and nitrous oxide (N2O), and 20 patients were anesthetized with N2O and a 100 micrograms/kg bolus of alfentanil followed by a continuous alfentanil infusion.

Measurements and main results: Hemodynamic measurements, emergence times, and postoperative side effects were measured. Hemodynamic stability was maintained in both groups. Although children emerged faster and were extubated earlier when anesthetized with alfentanil, they required longer times until they could be discharged from the outpatient anesthesia area. Children anesthetized with alfentanil had a higher occurrence of postoperative emesis compared with children anesthetized with halothane. These differences, however, were not statistically significant.

Conclusions: Alfentanil appears to be a safe anesthetic. The reason for prolonged discharge time in the alfentanil-anesthetized patient is unclear, but it may be related to postoperative vomiting.