Low-dose butorphanol alleviates remifetanil-induced hyperalgesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy

J Clin Anesth. 2016 Nov:34:41-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinane.2016.03.042. Epub 2016 May 2.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of low-dose butorphanol on hyperalgesia induced by high-dose remifetanil in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Design: Randomized double-blind clinical trial.

Setting: Intraoperative.

Patients: Seventy-five patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were enrolled.

Interventions: Randomly allocated into 3 groups, low dose of remifentanil (LR) group and high dose of remifentanil (HR) group received low (0.1μg kg(-1) min(-1)) or high (0.3μg kg(-1) min(-1)) doses of remifentanil, respectively, and butorphanol combined with remifentanil (BR) group received remifentanil (0.3μg kg(-1) min(-1)) and butorphanol (0.2μg/kg).

Measurements: The visual analog scale scores and cumulative consumption of fentanyl were recorded.

Main results: Visual analog scale scores were significantly higher in the HR group than in the LR and BR groups (P<.001). The dose of intravenously given fentanyl was significantly higher in the HR group than in the LR and BR groups (P<.001). In addition, the HR group showed a significantly higher cumulative consumption of fentanyl during 5 to 8 hours after the operation (P<.001).

Conclusions: A high dose of remifentanil induces postoperative hyperalgesia, which could be prevented by a continuous intravenous administration of a low dose of butorphanol.

Keywords: Butorphanol; Remifentanil; laparoscopic cholecystectomy; ĸ-Opioid receptors; μ-Opioid receptor.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analgesics, Opioid / administration & dosage
  • Analgesics, Opioid / adverse effects*
  • Anesthesia, General / adverse effects
  • Anesthesia, General / methods
  • Butorphanol / administration & dosage
  • Butorphanol / therapeutic use*
  • Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Fentanyl / administration & dosage
  • Fentanyl / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Hyperalgesia / chemically induced
  • Hyperalgesia / prevention & control*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Narcotic Antagonists / administration & dosage
  • Narcotic Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Pain Measurement
  • Pain, Postoperative / chemically induced
  • Pain, Postoperative / prevention & control*
  • Piperidines / administration & dosage
  • Piperidines / adverse effects*
  • Receptors, Opioid, kappa / agonists
  • Receptors, Opioid, kappa / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu / agonists
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Remifentanil

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Narcotic Antagonists
  • Piperidines
  • Receptors, Opioid, kappa
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu
  • Remifentanil
  • Butorphanol
  • Fentanyl