A comparative study of the haemodynamic and recovery properties of propofol-remifentanil and propofol-alfentanil in patients undergoing intracranial surgery [Intrakraniyal cerrahide propofol-remifentanil ve propofol-alfentanilin hemodinami ve derlenme kriterleri üzerine etkilerinin karşilaştirilmasi]

We aimed to compare the haemodynamic and recovery properties of propofol-remifentanil and propofol-alfentanil in patients undergoing intracranial surgery. Forty five patients, aged between 15 to 75 years with ASA physical status I-III were included in this study. Patients were divided randomly into two groups. Anaesthesia induction was provided by intravenous bolus remifentanil (0.5 µg/kg) and propofol (1-1.5 mg/kg) in group I (n=25), whereas intravenous bolus alfentanil (20 µg/kg) and propofol (1-1.5 mg/kg) in group II (n=20) and maintained with propofol (3-7 mg/kg/h)-remifentanil (0.25 µg/kg/min) infusion and N20/02 combination in group I, whereas propofol-alfentanil (1.5 µg/kg/min) infusion and N20/02 combination in group II. Hemodynamic variables were recorded preoperatively, during the induction, following intubation, and during the application of head holder and skin incision. Duration of extubation and awakening time, eye opening, responsing to commands, and side effects were recorded postoperatively. SAP and DAP were similar between two groups during the each study period. HR values were higher in alfentanil group than remifentanil group following the application of head holder (p<0.05). No difference was found between two groups duration of extubation, awakening, responsing to commands and eye opening (p>0.05). We concluded that both propofol-remifentanil and propofol-alfentanil combinations exhibited similar effects on hemodynamical variables and recovery profile in patients undergoing intracranial surgery, however, remifentanil may be superior to alfentanil because of more stable HR variables