Alfentanil v. isoflurane for outpatient arthroscopy

Abstract

Alfentanil by continuous intravenous infusion and isoflurane have been compared in anesthetic agents for outpatient arthroscopy. In 42 patients, divided to random into two groups, anaesthesia was induced with methohexitone and vecuronium bromide, and, after intubation, maintained with nitrous oxide 66% in oxygen combined with alfentanil or isoflurane. Alfentanil was given before intubation (1 mg), as a loading dose before starting surgery (50 .mu.g kg-1) and by a continuous infusion at a rate of 1 .mu.g kg-1 min-1. Isoflurane was given in a concentration of 0.9% as a maintenance dose. Awakening from anaesthesia was more rapid with alfentanil than with isoflurane. Recovery tests were applied in the recovery room. Both anesthetic techniques provided satisfactory anaesthesia and rapid recovery. All patients but one were content with the anaesthesia. The patients who received isoflurane scored better in the recovery tests in the first 3 h, but after 3 h there was no difference between the groups. The alfentanil group showed a higher incidence of nausea and/or vomiting; 45% compared to 14% in the isoflurane group.