Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2025

Author Spotlight: A Non-Intubated Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery with Multimodal Analgesia and Sevoflurane Inhalation Anesthesia
Published on: May 26, 2023
Opioid-free anesthesia for quality of recovery score after surgery: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Di Wang1, Zhi Liu2, Wenhui Zhang3
1Department of Anaesthesiology, Central Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Dalian Municipal Central Hospital), Dalian, Liaoning, China.
Background:
This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) on the postoperative subjective quality of recovery (QoR).
Methods:
Our comprehensive literature search, spanning PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, targeted clinical trials that evaluated the effects of OFA versus opioid-based anesthesia (OBA) on postoperative QoR. The data were analyzed using Review Manager, STATA, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) profiler.
Main Results:
This meta-analysis included 13 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). OFA significantly improved the QoR-15 score (SMD 2.16; 95 % CI 0.13-4.20; I2 = 98 %; 293 patients in 3 trials) and QoR-40 score (SMD 0.47; 95 % CI 0.18-0.77; I2 = 82 %; 1464 patients in 236 trials). Furthermore, the incidence of nausea, vomiting, and hypotension was reduced, with no difference in the risk of bradycardia or time for extubation of the trachea.
Conclusion:
This meta-analysis shows OFA improves early postoperative quality of recovery and reduces the occurrence of nausea, vomiting, and hypotension without increasing the risk of bradycardia or prolonging the time for extubation of the trachea.
Related Concept Videos
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
General Anesthesia: Overview
General anesthesia induces unconsciousness in the whole body, while the others target specific areas or sensations. It is administered to minimize adverse effects, maintain...
Stages of General Anesthesia
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview
Analgesia and Pain Management
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners

