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A comparison of the effect on gastric emptying of alfentanil or morphine given during anaesthesia for minor surgery
Author(s) -
Bennett M. W. R.,
Shah M. V.,
Bembridge J. L.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1994.tb03376.x
Subject(s) - alfentanil , medicine , gastric emptying , anesthesia , propofol , enflurane , morphine , nitrous oxide , surgery , opioid , stomach , gastroenterology , isoflurane , receptor
Summary Twenty patients, scheduled for minor gynaecological surgery, were studied. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with oxygen, nitrous oxide and enflurane. Patients were randomly allocated to two groups: group 1 were given alfentanil 0.2 mg; group 2 were given morphine 5 mg. The rate of gastric emptying was measured indirectly by the paracetamol absorption technique. The results showed that morphine caused greater delay in gastric emptying compared with alfentanil (p < 0.05). The observed effect on gastric emptying rate may potentially affect the risk of peri‐operative regurgitation and aspiration. This study provides further evidence that in short day‐case procedures, when oral medication may be required postoperatively, alfentanil may be preferable to morphine as an intra‐operative opioid.