Abstract:
BACKGROUND:: Emergence from general anesthesia can be associated with coughing, agitation, and hemodynamic disturbances. Remifentanil may attenuate these responses. METHODS:: In a prospective, double-blind, randomized trial, we enrolled 60 adult patients undergoing nasal surgery using remifentanil-based anesthesia. During the emergence phase, the remifentanil group had remifentanil reduced to one tenth of the maintenance rate, whereas the control group had remifentanil discontinued. RESULTS:: Times to awakening and tracheal extubation were similar between the two groups. During emergence, the remifentanil group (infusion rate 0.014 ± 0.011 μg • kg • min) had a significantly lower incidence (40percent vs 80percent, P = 0.002) and less severe coughing compared with the control group, as well as a lower incidence of nonpurposeful movement (3.3percent vs 30percent, P = 0.006) and slower heart rates. CONCLUSIONS:: Low-dose remifentanil during emergence did not prolong wake-up but reduced the incidence and severity of coughing from the endotracheal tube. © 2009 International Anesthesia Research Society.