Alfentanil for short duration laparoscopic procedures

Alfentanil in low dosage (8 micrograms kg-1) as an analgesic agent for short duration surgery was evaluated. Forty-one women undergoing laparoscopy received double-blind either alfentanil 8 micrograms kg-1 or normal saline at induction, and all received thiopentone, alcuronium, enflurane, nitrous oxide and oxygen. The fall in mean arterial pressure (MAP) with induction was similar between groups. The MAP following intubation with alfentanil was unchanged, while with normal saline a mean rise of 23 (SD 15.2) mmHg occurred (P less than 0.001). The pulse rate following intubation showed a smaller rise (P less than 0.001) with alfentanil of 26 (SD 14.6) beats min-1, than the normal saline group of 46 (SD 13.3) beats min-1. Alfentanil was found to be a safe and effective analgesic agent in short duration surgery, by reducing sympathetic responses to intubation without cardiovascular depression or compromise of postoperative recovery.