The Effects of Remifentanil and Remifentanil-Alfentanil Administration in Children

One hundred and two children, aged 3-9 years, undergoing ophthalmic surgery were studied. General anesthesia was induced with thiopental 5 mg/kg, rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg and sevoflurane. At the time of separation from parents, separation score was recorded. When the children have a separation score of three or four point, they received half dose of thiopental before going to the operation room. They randomly assigned to group S (sevoflurane alone) or group R (sevoflurane with remifentanil infusion at the rate of 0.1 ㎍/kg/min) or group A (sevoflurane with remifentanil infusion and intravenous injection of alfentanil 5 ㎍/kg 10 min before the end of surgery). Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and sevoflurane concentration were checked every 15 minutes after induction of anesthesia. Time to extubation from discontinuation of sevoflurane inhalation was measured. Time to discharge from postanesthesia care unit (PACU) was assessed with postanesthetic Aldrete recovery score. Emergence agitation scoring system was used to evaluate the incidence and severity of EA.

Inclusion criteria

• children who were scheduled to undergo ophthalmic surgery under general anesthesia

Exclusion criteria

• developmental delay, neurologic or psychologic disease,
• history of sleep apnea,
• or history of general anesthesia