Target-controlled Infusion Of Sufentanil Research Articles

An observational study on the application of fast-track cardiac anesthesia using target-controlled infusion of sufentanil and propofol in valve replacement surgery.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of fast-track cardiac anesthesia using target-controlled infusion of sufentanil and propofol in valve replacement surgery. The clinical data of 88 patients with rheumatic heart disease undergoing valve replacement surgery were retrospectively analyzed and grouped based on different treatment methods. Among them, 44 cases received fast-track cardiac anesthesia using target-controlled infusion of fentanyl and propofol from November 2019 to July 2021 were set as the control group, and 44 cases received fast-track cardiac anesthesia using target-controlled infusion of sufentanil and propofol from August 2021 to February 2022 were set as the study group. The study group showed shorter postoperative awakening time, extubation time, and hospital stay duration, and lower dosage of dopamine and nitroglycerin consumption compared to the control group (P < .05). At T5 and T6, both groups exhibited higher ACTH, cortisol (Cor), and C3a than at T0, and the study group showed significantly lower ACTH, Cor, and C3a at T5 and T6 than the control group (P < .05). At T7, the control group showed higher ACTH, Cor, and C3a than at T0, and ACTH, Cor, and C3a were significantly lower in the study group than in the control group at T7 (P < .05). Fast-track cardiac anesthesia using target-controlled infusion of sufentanil and propofol in valve replacement surgery has demonstrated favorable application effects, which stabilizes hemodynamics, alleviates myocardial damage, suppresses endocrine stress responses, and does not increase adverse reactions, thereby exhibiting good safety.

Comparison of the effects of sufentanil-dominant anaesthesia/analgesia and epidural anaesthesia/analgesia on postoperative immunological alterations, stress responses and prognosis in open hepatectomy: a randomized trial.

Both in vitro and in animal studies have shown immunosuppressive effects of opioids which might provoke tumour growth and metastasis, while no definite results were shown in previous clinical studies. To find out the effects between general anaesthesia combined with sufentanil target-controlled infusion (SGA) and general anaesthesia combined with epidural anaesthesia (EGA) on immunological alterations, stress responses and prognosis in patients undergoing open hepatectomy, a prospective, non-inferiority, randomized-controlled study was performed. Patients with liver neoplasms undergoing open hepatectomy were randomly assigned to either SGA (n=81) or EGA (n=81) group. The primary outcome was the ratio of interferon (IFN)-γ/interleukin (IL)-4 at 24 h after surgery (T3). The secondary outcomes included immune-related cytokines, circulating immune cells, stress-related cytokines, cortisol and blood glucose, visual analogue scale scores. Plasma was sampled at five-time points [baseline/before surgery (T0), 5 min after portal block release (T1), 1 h after surgery (T2), T3, and on a postoperative day (POD)5 (T4)]. Cancer-related outcomes, including recurrence, metastasis and survival, were followed up at 3 months and 1 year after surgery. The IFN-γ/IL-4 ratios were comparable between both groups at T3 {median [interquartile range (IQR)]: 20.78 (12.73-29.18) vs. 19.52 (13.98-29.29), P=0.607}. At T3, the proportions of circulating T cells were decreased, while those of B and natural killer cells were increased. The plasma level of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α at T2 was significantly higher in the SGA group [median (IQR): 7.45 (6.20-9.80) vs. 5.95 (4.95-7.45) pg/mL, P<0.001]. Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia was less effective than epidural analgesia on POD0 and POD2. For hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-related outcomes, no significant differences were found in either short- or long-term follow-ups. Although the levels of TNF-α were higher in the SGA group, the tumour-related immunological alterations and follow-ups showed no difference between groups. SGA appears not to be inferior to EGA regarding tumour-related immunity and prognosis. Intravenous opioid use appears not to be inferior to epidural anaesthesia, and can be used safely in HCC patients without worsening patients' prognosis. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (No. ChiCTR2000035299).

Clinical Effect of Target-Controlled Infusion of Sufentanil and Remifentanil for Internal Thoracoscopy

Clinical Effect of Target-Controlled Infusion of Sufentanil and Remifentanil for Internal Thoracoscopy

Sufentanil target controlled infusion (TCI) versus remifentanil TCI for monitored anaesthesia care for patients with severe tracheal stenosis undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy: protocol for a prospective, randomised, controlled study

IntroductionThe use of monitored anaesthesia care (MAC) is necessary and ubiquitous for fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Anaesthetic management of patients with severe tracheal stenosis has always been a challenge. The efficacy and...

Target-Controlled Anesthesia Reduces Postoperative Delirium in Spinal Surgical Patients: A Prospective Pilot Study

The aim of this pilot study was to examine the effect of combined target-controlled anesthesia and manually controlled anesthesia on the incidence of postoperative delirium (POD) in patients undergoing spinal surgery. All of the patients were enrolled before spinal surgery and divided into 2 groups at random: one group received combined sevoflurane target-controlled inhalation and sufentanil target-controlled infusion (S-S TCI group), whereas the other received combined manually controlled sevoflurane inhalation and sufentanil infusion (S-S MCI group). Data related to preoperative factors, perioperative factors, and postoperative data were retrospectively collected. Compared with the S-S MCI group, the dosage of vasoactive drugs after surgery, postoperative recovery time, time to cannula removal, and the incidence of POD were significantly decreased in the S-S TCI group (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Overall, POD appeared in 81 patients (16.8%) by postoperative day 3. Multiple regression analysis showed that postoperative blood loss and manually controlled anesthesia were risk factors for POD in spinal surgery patients. Therefore, prophylactic blood transfusion and phenylephrine can reduce the incidence of POD in the presence of postoperative hypotension. Target-controlled anesthesia may improve the quality of anesthesia as well as reduce POD in spinal surgical patients. These results provide clinical evidence for improving the prevention, diagnosis, and management of POD.

Comparative effects of target-controlled infusion of anesthetic sufentanil and remifentanil on inflammatory factors and oxidative stress indicators in patients of colorectal cancer

This study was designed to compare the recovery of target-controlled infusion of sufentanil and remifentanil in patients of colorectal cancer. In total, 104 patients were randomly divided into sufentanil and remifentanil groups. One group was given target-controlled infusion of sufentanil, while the other group received remifentanil. Inflammatory factors and oxidative stress indicators were measured at 10 min before induction of anesthesia (T1), 1 h (T2), 24 h (T3), and 72 h (T4) after surgery. Adverse reactions were also compared. The extubation and recovery time of sufentanil group were longer than remifentanil group. The levels of CRP, IL-8, and IL-4 in sufentanil group and remifentanil group increased continuously. CRP contents at T3, T4, and IL-8 and IL-4 contents at T2, T3, and T4 of remifentanil group were lower ( P &lt; 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in sufentanil group was 15.4%, which was significantly ( P &lt; 0.05) lower than remifentanil group (28.8%). The recovery and extubation time of sufentanil were longer than remifentanil, while the remifentanil can effectively reduce the levels of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress.

Median effective effect-site concentration of sufentanil for wake-up test in adolescents undergoing surgery: a randomized trial.

BackgroundTo determine the median effective concentration of sufentanil as an analgesic during wake-up tests after sevoflurane anesthesia during surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).MethodsThis is a randomised controlled trial. Sixty patients aged 13–18 years scheduled for AIS surgery were randomized into six groups of 10 patients each to receive target effect-site concentrations of sufentanil of 0.19, 0.1809, 0.1723, 0.1641, 0.1563, and 0.1489 ng/ml (target concentration ratio, 1.05). Wake-up time was recorded. Median EC50 and 95% confidence interval (CI) for sufentanil target-controlled infusion (TCI) were determined using Kärber’s method. The primary outcome was median EC50 for sufentanil TCI as an analgesic during the wake-up test after sevoflurane anesthesia during surgery for AIS.ResultsThe EC50 and 95% CI of sufentanil TCI were 0.1682 ng/ml and 0.1641 ~ 0.1724 ng/ml, respectively.ConclusionsThe EC50 of sufentanil TCI was 0.1682 ng/ml (95% CI: 0.1641 ~ 0.1724 ng/ml) during sevoflurane anesthesia in adolescents undergoing surgery for idiopathic scoliosis with intraoperative wake-up tests.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov identifier: ChiCTR-TTRCC-12002696.

Accuracy of target-controlled infusion of sufentanil from termination of cardiopulmonary bypass until the end of surgery in patients undergoing cardiac surgery

Objective To evaluate the accuracy of target-controlled infusion (TCI) of sufentanil from termination of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) until the end of surgery in the patients undergoing cardiac surgery.Methods Twenty adult patients,aged 25-64 yr,of ASA physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ,scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass graft under CPB,were enrolled in the study.Immediately after termination of CPB,sufentanil was given by TCI using Gepts pharmacokinetic parameters.The initial target effect-site concentration (Ce) of sufentanil was 0.4 ng/ml.The Ce increased by 0.2 ng/ml every 10 min until it finally decreased to 0.8 ng/ml,and then the Ce decreased by 0.2 ng/ml every 10 min until it finally decreased to 0.4 ng/ml which was maintained until the end of surgery.At 10 min of infusion at each preset target Ce 0.4,0.6,0.8 and 0.6 ng/ml (T1-4) and 1,3,5,10,20,40 and 60 min of infusion at the last concentration of 0.4 ng/ml (T5-11),arterial blood samples were collected for measurement of sufentanil concentrations by using ELISA.For each sample,the bias,accuracy and wobble were calculated.Results Compared with the predicted plasma concentrations of sufentanil,the measured plasma concentrations of sufentanil were significantly decreased at T1-11.The bias,accuracy and wobble were-37.63 ％,37.63％ and 5.09％,respectively.Conclusion The accuracy of sufentanil TCI using Gepts pharmacokinetic parameters is not high from termination of CPB until the end of surgery in the patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Key words: Sufentanil; Drug delivery systems; Coronary artery bypass

The optimal effect-site concentration of sufentanil for laryngeal mask insertion during induction with target-controlled propofol infusion at 4.0 μg/mL.

Objective:The objective of this study is to determine the optimal effect-site concentration (Ce) of sufentanil for satisfactory insertion of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) when administered with a target-controlled infusion (TCI) of propofol at 4.0 μg/mL.Materials and Methods:A total of 25 adult patients scheduled for minor elective surgery were enrolled in this study. All patients received induction with a combination of propofol and sufentanil TCI. The TCI of sufentanil was started at a target Ce of 0.1 ng/mL. After equilibrium with the plasma concentration, the TCI of propofol was initiated, targeting a preset Ce of 4.0 μg/mL. After the loss of consciousness, LMA was inserted and assessed by an experienced Anesthesiologist. The Ce of sufentanil for the next patient was guided by modified Dixon's up-and-down method using 0.05 ng/mL as a step size. The Ce of sufentanil required for successful LMA insertion in 50% of adults (EC50) was determined by calculating the midpoint concentration of all independent pairs of patients after at least seven crossover points.Results:The optimal Ce (EC50) of sufentanil for LMA insertion during propofol induction using target Ce of 4 μg/mL was 0.16 ng/mL (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.12-0.20). There was a significant reduction in propofol induced pain score P = 0.0275 and insignificant hemodynamic changes.Conclusion:Ce of sufentanil required for successful LMA insertion in 50% of patients (EC50) using propofol target Ce of 4.0 μg/mL was 0.16 ng/mL (95% CI = 0.12-0.20) with a significant reduction in the propofol induced pain and hemodynamic stability.

Comparison of target-controlled infusion of sufentanil and remifentanil in blunting hemodynamic response to tracheal intubation

:Background:Maintaining blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) after laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation has always been a concern in injured patients. Opioids can attenuate or stop an increase in these two parameters if administered with proper doses or targets in target-controlled infusion (TCI). Remifentanil and sufentanil are widely used for this purpose because their cardiac side effects are low and, especially in traumatic patients, they are tolerated well. A comparison of the benefits and limitations of these two opioids in TCI is much needed. A literature review in electronic data bases revealed few results. Methods:40 normotensive patients were enrolled to this randomized clinical trial study. After BIS guided anesthesia with a target-controlled propofol infusion and muscle relaxation with cisatracurium, remifentanil and sufentanil were infused using TCI with 2 and 0.2 ng.ml-1 targets respectively. BP and HR were recorded for five data points and compared with Fischer's exact test. Results:Systolic, mean and diastolic arterial pressure and HR in different points of the study remained below baseline values but were out of control in some cases, however the out-of-control values showed significant difference between the two groups only for heart rate changes. The relative risk for producing out-of-control changes with remifentanil compared to sufentanil is significantly more than 1 for HR decrease. Conclusions:Sufentanil produced more common pre-intubation hypotension than remifentanil in propofol anesthetized patients but this hypotension disappeared sooner than remifentanil after tracheal intubation. Both opioids prevent an increase in BP and HR after tracheal intubation but the side effects (hypotension and bradycardia) may be a cause for concern (IRCT138710011361N3).

Changes in total and unbound concentrations of sufentanil during target controlled infusion for cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass

Target controlled infusion (TCI) with sufentanil is usually performed using the Gepts model, which was derived from patients undergoing general surgery. It is, however, known that pharmacokinetics of sufentanil can be changed during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We tested whether TCI during coronary artery bypass surgery with CPB produces constant total, unbound sufentanil concentration-time course or both. After IRB approval, written informed consent was obtained from 38 male patients (48-74 yr) undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. Anaesthesia was managed with propofol and TCI of sufentanil, using the Gepts model, targeting plasma concentrations of 0.4 (n=18) or 0.8 ng ml(-1) (n=20). Arterial blood samples were taken before, during, and after CPB. Total and unbound sufentanil concentrations were measured by HPLC with tandem mass spectrometry. The accuracy of the TCI model was assessed by the prediction error, and a pharmacokinetic model was determined by population analysis. The median prediction error of the TCI with the Gepts model before, during, and after CPB was 59.6, 3.9, and -10.4%, respectively. The unbound sufentanil concentrations increased significantly during CPB. Pharmacokinetic modelling showed an increase in elimination and intercompartmental clearance after initiation of CPB. Neither total nor unbound sufentanil concentrations remained constant when performing a TCI with the Gepts model in coronary artery bypass surgery with CPB. A pharmacokinetic model derived from patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB might improve the performance of TCI in this population.

Comparison of intraoperative wake-up test in patients undergoing scoliosis surgery with different anesthesia methods

Objective To compare the intraoperative wake-up test in patients undergoing scoliosis surgery with different anesthesia methods.Methods Forty ASA Ⅰ patients aged 13-18 yr with body mass index ＜ 30 kg/m2 scheduled for scoliosis surgery were randomly divided into 2 groups ( n =20 each): propofol combined sufentanil anesthesia group (group P) and sevoflurane combined sufentanil anesthesia group (group S).Anesthesia was induced with target-controlled infusion of sufentanil(target effect-site concentration 0.5 ng/ml),and iv injection of etomidate 0.3 mg/kg in both groups.Tracheal intubation was facilitated with 0.15 mg/kg cisatracurium when patients lost consciousness.The patients were mechanically ventilated.Anesthesia was maintained with target-controlled inhalation of sevoflurane (target end-tidal concentration 0.8％-1.5％ ) in group S,and target-controlled infusion of propofol (target plasma concentration 3-5 μg/ml) in group P,and target-controlled infusion of sufentanil (target effect-site concentration 0.2-0.3 ng/ml),and iv infusion of cisatracurium 0.1 mg· kg-1· h-1 in both groups.BIS value was maintained at 40-60.Cisatracurium administration was terminated and target effect-site concentration of sufentanil decreased to 0.1 ng/ml before wake-up test,5 min later,sevoflurane and propofol administration were terminated,and 5 min later wake-up test was performed.MAP and HR were recoreded during wake-up test.The wake-up time and advers effect (bucking,restlessness and awareness)were recorded.Results The wake-up time was significantly shorter in group S than in group P( P ＜ 0.05).MAP and HR were in normal range during wake-up test in both groups,and bucking,restlessness and awareness were not found in both groups.Conclusion Target-controlled inhalation of ssvoflurane combined with sufentanil can be safely and effectively used for intraoperative wake-up test in patients undergoing scoliosis surgery,and the wake-up time is shorter than that with propofol combined sufentanil,and it is an apporiate anesthetic technique for the intraoperative wake-up test. Key words: Anesthetics, inhalation; Drug delivery systems; Sufentanil; Scoliosis

Effect of intraoperative wake-up test on postoperative delirium in patients undergoing scoliosis surgery under analgesia with sufentanil

Objective To investigate the effect of the intraoperative wake-up test on the postoperative delirium in patients undergoing scoliosis operation under analgesia with sufentanil. Methods Sixty ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients , aged 12-60 yr, scheduled for scoliosis surgery, were randomly divided into 2 groups ( n = 30 each) : control group (group C) and intraoperative wake-up test group (group W) . The intraoperative wake-up test was not performed during operation in group C. Anesthesia was induced with target-controlled infusion of sufentanil with the target effect-site concentration set at 0.5 ng/ml and iv injection of propofol 1-2 nig/kg. As soon as the patients lost consciousness, tracheal intubation was facilitated with 0.15 mg/kg cisatracurium besylate. The patients were mechanically ventilated. Anesthesia was maintained with target-controlled inhalation of sevoflurane (target end-tidal concentration 0. 8%-1. 5%), target-controlled infusion of sufentanil (target effect-site concentration 0.2-0.3 ng/ml) and iv infusion of cisatracurium besylate 0.1 mg- kg-1·h-1 . In group W, the patients underwent the intraoperative wake-up test. Postoperative analgesia was provided with sufentanil. The occurrence of intraoperative awareness and postoperative delirium was recorded. Results No significant difference was found in the incidences of intraoperative awareness and postoperative delirium between the two groups. Conclusion The intraoperative wake-up test is not the risk factor for postoperative delirium in patients undergoing scoliosis surgery under analgesia with sufentanil, and inhibition of perioperative pain and intraoperative awareness by analgesia with sufentanil may be involved in the mechanism. Key words: Sufentanil; Postoperative complications; Delirium; Scoliosis; Wake-up tests

Effect of dexmedetomidine on median effective target effect-site concentration of sufentanil inhibiting body movement evoked by skin incision in patients undergoing bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy

Objective To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine on median effective target effect-site concentration ( EC50) of sufentanil inhibiting body movement evoked by skin incision in patients undergoing bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy. Methods Thirty-nine ASA I or II patients of both sexes aged 20-64 yr with a body mass index of 20-25 kg/m2 undergoing bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy were randomly divided into 2 groups: control group (group C) and dexmedetomidine group (group D). The patients were premedicated with intramuscular phenobarbital 0.1 g and scopolamine 0.3 mg. In group D dexmedetomidine 0.6 μg/kg was injected iv over 10 min at S min before induction of anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced with target-controlled infusion (TCI) of propofol and sufentanil. The target plasma concentration of propofol was set at 3.0 μg/ml which was maintained until the end of operation. TCI of sufentanil was started at 10 min after initiation of propofol TCI. The initial target effect-site concentration was set at 0.20 ng/ml and decreased/increased by 20% in the next patient according to whether the patient's body moved or not within 1 min after skin incision. Laryngeal mask airway was inserted at 3 min after initiation of sufentanil TCI. Spontaneous breathing was maintained. Skin incision was made at 10 min after initiation of sufentanil TCI. The EC50 and 95% confidence interval (CI) of sufentanil inhibiting skin incision-evoked body movement were calculated with sequential method. Results EC50, of sufentanil was 0.1148 ng/ml (95% CI 0.1055-0.1249 ng/ml) in group D and 0.1454 ng/ml (95% CI 0.1339-0.1580 ng/ml) in group C, and was significantly lower in group D than in group C. Conclusion Dexmedetomidine 0.6 μg/kg infused iv before operation can reduce the EC50 of sufentanil inhibiting body movement evoked by skin incision in patients undergoing bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy. Key words: Dexmedetomidine; Sufentanil; Drug delivery systems; Dose-response relationship, drug; Thyroidectomy

Intraoperative use of somatosensory-evoked potentials: is general anaesthesia comparable to awake condition?

Editor, We have read with great interest the article by Fielmuth and Uhlig [1] on the role of somatosensory-evoked potentials (SSEPs) in detecting cerebral ischaemia during carotid endarterectomy. The authors made an assessment of the validity of SSEP monitoring during carotid endarterectomy in awake patients under locoregional anaesthesia. They correctly reported the current substantial variety of SSEP parameters and thresholds related to these SSEP parameters used to detect critical deterioration in cerebral blood flow (CBF). Their study was designed to compare SSEP tracings with the objective clinical–neurological examination in order to evaluate the reliability of the different SSEP-generated criteria. They referred to Shapiro and Aidinis [2], who developed a model, which can be seen as the methodological basis for current neuromonitoring during carotid surgery. This model correlates neuronal integrity and electrical activity with CBF. Using this approach to interpret changes in SSEP tracing as a perfusion-dependent neuronal metabolic situation, different parameters and values have been established to detect a relevant reduction in CBF.

Efficacy and safety of total intravenous anesthesia by targeting effect-site compartment TCI of propofol and sufentanil in off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Objective To approach the method of propofol and sufentanil effect-site compartment TCI (target controlled infusion) in off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.Methods Thirty-six patients undergoing CABG surgery, ASAⅠ~Ⅲ,EF≥40%, were randomly assigned to either of the group L or group H equally. The procedure had 4 periods: the anesthesia induction period, the pre-grafting period, the grafting period and the post-grafting period. In group L the predetermined sufentanil effect-site concentrations (Ce) for each period were: 0.4 μg/L, 0.8 μg/L, 0.5 μg/L and 0.5 μg/L ; while in group H were: 0.6 μg/L, 1.2 μg/L, 0.7 μg/L, 0.7 μg/L. Results In group L there were 4 patients' tracheal intubation could not be fulfilled under the predetermined Ce, and 3 patients received isoflurane anesthesia as supplementary in the pre-grafting period. The average total dose of propofol of group L was (19.6±3.30, n=14) mg/kg, and that of group H (17.4±3.21, n=16) mg/kg. Conclusion Propofol and sufentanil TCI can be of good choice in off-pump CABG surgery. The recommended Ce are: Induction period, sufentanil 0.6 μg/L combined with propofol 1.5 mg/L ~2.0 mg/L; Pre-grafting period, sufentanil 1.2 μg/L, propofol 2.5 mg/L ~3.5 mg/L; Grafting and post-grafting period, sufentanil 0.5 μg/L ~0.7 μg/L, propofol 1.5 mg/L ~2.5 mg/L.

Influence of peroperative opioid on postoperative pain after major abdominal surgery: sufentanil TCI versus remifentanil TCI. A randomized, controlled study

Sufentanil and remifentanil are characterized by two different pharmacokinetic profiles. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of sufentanil and remifentanil administered using target-controlled infusion (TCI) on recovery and postoperative analgesia after major abdominal surgery. Thirty adult patients scheduled for open colorectal surgery were included in a prospective, randomized study. Sufentanil TCI (sufentanil group) or remifentanil TCI (remifentanil group) was administered during surgery. In the remifentanil group, 30 min before the anticipated end of surgery, morphine 0.15 mg x kg(-1) was administered i.v. In the sufentanil group, an effect-site concentration of 0.25 ng x ml(-1) was targeted at extubation. In both groups, postoperative pain was controlled by titration of i.v. morphine and then patient-controlled analgesia with morphine. The extubation time was similar in the two groups (mean (SD) 13 (6) and 14 (6) min in the sufentanil and remifentanil groups respectively). Visual analogue scale scores were significantly greater during the first 2 h after tracheal extubation in the remifentanil group than in the sufentanil group. The time to first analgesic request in the postanaesthesia care unit was significantly longer in the sufentanil group than in the remifentanil group (55 (64) (range 2-240) vs 11 (7) (1-29) min; P<0.001). The cumulative morphine dose for titration was significantly greater in the remifentanil group (P<0.01). The cumulative morphine dose used during titration and patient-controlled analgesia was significantly greater in the remifentanil group 4, 12 and 24 h after extubation (P<0.05). TCI sufentanil (0.25 ng ml(-1) effect-site concentration at extubation) is more effective than the intraoperative combination of remifentanil TCI infusion with morphine bolus (0.15 mg x kg(-1)) for postoperative pain relief after major abdominal surgery and does not compromise extubation and recovery.