Does remifentanil-based anesthesia cause acute opioid tolerance?

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The development of acute opioid tolerance with potent short-acting opioids such as remifentanil is described in animal studies, but the results of clinical studies are controversial. Remifentanil-based anesthesia is commonly used at our hospital to facilitate neurophysiologic monitoring during scoliosis surgery. We compared postoperative morphine consumption and visual analogue pain scores in children receiving remifentanil/propofol or morphine/propofol anesthesia for scoliosis surgery.