Comparison of continuous sufentanil and fentanyl infusions for outpatient anaesthesia

Fifty ASA physical status class I or II patients undergoing outpatient D & C (dilatation and curettage of the uterus) were studied. Patients were divided into two groups in a random double-blind manner and given either a fentanyl bolus 0.7 microgram X kg-1 followed by continuous fentanyl infusion of 0-50 micrograms X min-1 or sufentanil bolus 0.1 microgram X kg-1 followed by continuous sufentanil infusion of 0-7 micrograms X min-1 as an adjuvant to thiopentone, nitrous oxide: oxygen anaesthesia. Patients were followed throughout the recovery process with respect to level of consciousness, nausea, vomiting, pain, and discharge time. Groups were equal with respect to awakening and discharge time. The incidence of nausea (p less than 0.05) and pain requiring analgesics (p less than 0.05) were less in the sufentanil group. It is concluded that the technique of continuous sufentanil infusion was superior to fentanyl in healthy outpatients undergoing D & C.