Opioid Free Anesthesia Versus Opioid Based Anesthesia

While opioids have been commonly used in the operating room due to their effectiveness in pain management and anesthesia, there are numerous common side effects that have an impact on patient recovery. Obese patients or those with pre-existing respiratory difficulties such as sleep apnea or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are more likely to experience respiratory failure after getting opiate therapy. Other effects of opioid use include gastro-intestinal obstacles such nausea, vomiting, and constipation.

The concept of opioid-free anesthesia evolved due to the potential adverse side effects associated with intraoperative opioid usage.

This study examines nociceptive monitoring's potential role in opioid-free anesthesia, as well as research on the topic. This study aims to compare the effects of an opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) regimen versus an opioid-based anesthesia (OBA) regimen on postoperative pain and enhanced recovery in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

Inclusion criteria

• Undergoing a scheduled laparoscopic bariatric surgery under general anesthesia.
• Age group: 18-65 years old.
• BMI greater than 35 to 50 Kg/m2
• ASA physical status classes I and II.

Exclusion criteria

• Patient refusal.
• ASA physical status classes III and IV.
• Anticipated difficult intubation.
• Hypersensitivity to any drugs used in this study. Inability to extubate the patient at the end of the operation. Conversion to laparotomy. Patients for whom the anesthetic regimen is changed intraoperatively (from OFA to OBA or vice versa).