Continuous infusion of alfentanil in infants undergoing inguinal herniorraphy

Abstract

Summa yWe evaluated the safety and efficacy of continuous alfentanil infusions in 37 full-term infants aged 4 to 52 weeks undergoing inguinal herniorraphy as outpatients. The infants were randomly assigned to one of two groups. In all patients anaesthesia was induced with halothane, nitrous oxide and oxygen by mask, then atropine and atracurium were administered intravenously. In the alfentanil group, anaesthesia was maintained with nitrous oxide, oxygen and alfentanil (100 Fgkg-') followed by a 2.0 pg.kg-'-min-l continuous infusion whereas in the control group anaesthesia was maintained with nitrous oxide, oxygen, and halothane (1.5%). There were no differences between the groups with respect to intra-operative values of blood pressure and heart rate, post-operative values of oxygen saturation as measured by pulse oximetry and respiratory rate, or post-operative incidence of vomiting and use of pain medication. Sedation lasted longer post-operatively in the alfentanil group, delaying oral intake but not prolonging hospitalization time. This study affirms that intravenous anaesthesia with alfentanil is safe and effective in infants.