[Comparison of pentazocine and fentanyl in total intravenous anesthesia using propofol]

Pentazocine may be an alternative for fentanyl during total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) using propofol. The authors compared the efficacy and safety of pentazocine for analgesics in TIVA using propofol.

Eighty-nine patients scheduled for mastectomy were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were classified into two groups by used analgesics; pentazocine (Group P, n = 34) and fentanyl (Group F, n = 55). Anesthesia was induced with propofol, using target controlled infusion method, and ketamine 20-50 mg, and was maintained with propofol infusion and increments of fentanyl or single dose of pentazocine with 40% oxygen in air. Postoperative pain was assessed using a visual analogue pain scale (VAS).

There were no differences in the patient background between both groups. Systolic as well as diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were not different between both groups during surgery. The maintenance dose of propofol was not different between the two groups. Awakening time in about 80% of patients was within 15 minutes and is not different between the two groups. There were no differences between the two groups regarding VAS. There are no severe complications. Incidence of nausea and vomiting was not different between the two groups.

The results suggest that pentazocine would provide a stable hemodynamic state, rapid recovery and an effective postoperative pain relief to the same degree as with fentanyl in TIVA with propofol.