Comparative Study of Opioid-Free Anesthesia Versus Opioid Anesthesia in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Anesthesia requires a full spectrum of drugs, from which an anesthetic plan can be applied to achieve the desired level of sedation, analgesia, amnesia, muscle relaxation, and reflex abolition.

Opioid administration as a bolus dose or continuous infusion is commonly used by anesthesiologists in major and day care surgeries. Using of opioids during anesthesia is associated with various opioid-related adverse effects such as respiratory depression, opioid-induced hyperalgesia, nausea and vomiting, urinary retention, paralytic ileus, and the risk of cognitive and sleep dysfunction , This negative side effect profile of opioids may cause delayed recovery and discharge of patients from the post-anesthesia care unit as well as unanticipated hospital readmissions.

The emergence of opioid-free anesthesia was prompted by the adverse effects of opioids and the ongoing opioid epidemic.

Opioid-free anesthesia is a multimodal anesthetic and analgesic without the use of opioid drugs and can play a crucial role in enhanced recovery after surgery.

Inclusion criteria

• o Adults aged 18-65 years.

• Scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
• ASA Physical Status I-III.
• Provided informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• patients with a history of alcohol or drug abuse.

• Chronic opioid use or dependence.
• basal heart rate (HR) ≤ 50 beats/min.
• Allergies to study medications.
• Severe renal or hepatic impairment.
• Pregnancy or lactation.