Postoperative Drip-Infusion of Remifentanil Reduces Postoperative Pain—A Retrospective Observative Study

Yi-Hsuan Huang, Meei-Shyuan Lee, Yao-Tsung Lin, Nian-Cih Huang, Jing Kao, Hou-Chuan Lai, Bo-Feng Lin, Kuang-I Cheng and Zhi-Fu Wu
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Yi-Hsuan Huang: Department of Anesthesiology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
Meei-Shyuan Lee: School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
Yao-Tsung Lin: Department of Anesthesiology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan 71004, Taiwan
Nian-Cih Huang: Department of Anesthesiology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
Jing Kao: School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
Hou-Chuan Lai: Department of Anesthesiology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
Bo-Feng Lin: Department of Anesthesiology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
Kuang-I Cheng: Department of Anesthesiology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
Zhi-Fu Wu: Department of Anesthesiology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 17, 1-12

Abstract: Development of remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia (RIH) postoperatively is an unpleasant experience that requires further treatment. This study assessed the effects of gradual withdrawal combined with drip infusion of remifentanil on postoperative pain and the requirement for rescue analgesics. A total of 559 patients receiving total intravenous anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil were enrolled. All patients either underwent gradual withdrawal of remifentanil (GWR) or gradual withdrawal combined with drip infusion (GWDR) with a dose of 1 mcg·kg ?1 for 30 min after extubation. The numeric rating scale (NRS) and the requirement of rescue analgesics were assessed. The requirement for rescue analgesics was significantly lower in the GWDR group than in the GWR group (13.2% vs. 35.7%; p < 0.001). At the post-anesthetic care unit (PACU), patients in the GWDR group had a lower NRS pain score ( p < 0.001). In addition, in the postoperative 2nd hour, patients in the GWDR group had a significantly lower NRS than the GWR group (beta, ?0.31; p = 0.003). No remifentanil-related adverse effects were observed. We found that gradual withdrawal combined with drip infusion of remifentanil required less rescue analgesics and reduced pain scores. The new way of remifentanil administration may be effective to prevent RIH.

Keywords: remifentanil; hyperalgesia; drip infusion; gradual withdrawal (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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