A comparison of quality of emergence from TCI of sufentanil versus remifentanil supplementing propofol-sevoflurane anestbesia in patients undergoing radical colo-rectal cancer resection

Objective To compare the quality of emergence from TCI of sufentanil and remifentanil supplementing propofol-sevoflurane anesthesia in patients undergoing radical colo-rectal cancer resection.Methods Forty ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients of both sexes aged 40-64 yr undergoing elective radical colo-rectal cancer resection were allocated into 2 groups ( n =20 each):sufentanil group (group S) and remifentanil group (group R).Anesthesia was induced with propofol TCI at plasma concentration (Cp) of 4.0 μg/ml in both groups and sufentanil TCI (effect-site concentration Ce =0.4 ng/ml ) or remifentanil TCI ( Cp =4.0 ng/ml).Tracheal intubation was facilitated with vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg.The patients were mechanically ventilated (VT =8-10 ml/kg,RR =12-16 bpm).PErCO2 was maintained at 30-40 mm Hg.Anesthesia was maintained with propofol TCI-sevoflurane supplemented with sufentanil (Ce=0.25 ng/ml) or remifentanil (Cp=2.5 ng/ml).The depth of anesthesia was maintained at Narcotrend index of 37-56 by adjusting Cp of propofol TCI and sevoflurane concentration.The infusion of sufentanil was discontinued at 40 min before the conclusion of the operation while remifentanil was administered until the end of surgery.The incidence of postoperative adverse events,the time from the end of operation to eye openg and the time to extubation were recorded.Reesults The two groups were comparable with respect to demographic data.Neither group developed prolonged emergence and respiratory depression but the time from the end of operation to eye opening and the time to extubation were significantly longer in group S than in group R.The incidence of hypertension and tachycardia,agitation,shivering aad coughing were significantly lower in group S than in group R.Conclusion The quality of emergence from sufentanil supplementing propofol-sevoflurane anesthesia is higher than that from remifentanil. Key words: Sufentanil; Piperidines; Drug delivery systems; Anesthesia recovery period; Recovery quality