Clinical observation of remifentanil anaesthesia combined with epidural anesthesia in thoracic surgery

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect and safety of remifentanil anaesthesia combined with epidural anesthesia in thoracic surgery. Methods Two hundred patients, ASA Ⅰ - Ⅱ grade, undergoing thoracotmy were randomly allocated to two groups:Remifentanil group (group R) and Fentanyl group (group F). Two groups were given combined general-epidural anesthesia. Patients in group R received remifentanil. Group F received fentanyl. The blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation and plasma cortisol were measured before the operation (T0), 1 min (T1) and 5 min (T2) after tracheal intubation, skin incision(T3) and 5 min after the operation (T4). The endotracheal extubation time and conscious recovery were recorded. Results Compared with group R, the incidence of endotracheal intubation reaction in group F is significantly higher (group F-14/26,53.8% ;group R-4/26,15.4% ;P<0.05 ).All the patients in group R were extubated and recovered conscious completely at 7 min after operation. 6 patients in group F were extubated at 25 min after operation and 3 of them recovered recognition completely one hour later. Conclusion Remifentanil have a faster recovery after surgery than fentanyl, and it can effectively inhibit tracheal intubation stress response. Remifentanil anaesthesia combined with epidural anesthesia can provide perfect acesodyne and maintain steady circulation. Key words: Remifentanil; Epidural analgesia; Thoracotomy