In a prospective, randomized study, the effect of age on recovery from remifentanil anaesthesia was evaluated. Twenty consecutive patients classified as ASA 1 and 2 and having elective laparotomy were recruited to one of two groups based on age (Group 1 age <60 y and Group 2 age >60 y). Remifentanil boluses and infusion were used for induction and maintenance of anaesthesia. Dosage was titrated against clinical response to perioperative stimulation and the infusion was terminated at the end of the operation. Time intervals between termination of remifentanil infusion and 1) spontaneous respiration, 2) adequate respiration, 3) eye opening, 4) limb movement, 5) extubation, 6) Aldrete score >9, 7) discharge to recovery room and 8) discharge to the ward were recorded. Patient controlled analgesia with morphine was used for postoperative pain control. Student's t test was used to compare the differences in these time intervals between Groups 1 and 2. A P value <0.05 was taken as significant. We found that the younger age group regained spontaneous respiration (0.8+/-0.7 min vs 3.2+/-3.6 min), adequate respiration (3.4+/-3.7 min vs 7.6+/-5.8 min), opened their eyes (0.9+/-1.0 min vs 3.6+/-4.4 min), had their endotracheal tubes removed (5.0+/-4.6 min vs 9.0+/-6.5 min) and were discharged to recovery room (8.8+/-4.3 min vs 14.5+/-7.1 min) earlier than their older counterparts. In conclusion, age was a co-variate for recovery from remifentanil anaesthesia.