Fentanyl More Cost-Effective than Remifentanil for Gynecologic Surgery.(anesthetic comparison)

2001 JAN 25 - (NewsRx.com) -- Fentanyl is a substantially more cost-effective anesthetic for gynecologic surgery than its cousin remifentanil, despite remifentanil's attractive pharmacology, according to researchers writing in the journal Anesthesia and Analgesia.

"The unique pharmacokinetic properties of remifentanil make it a potentially useful adjuvant during general anesthesia for ambulatory surgery," explained R.A. Beers and colleagues at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. However, they noted, "fentanyl, inexpensive and easy to administer, is the most common opioid used for this purpose."

Beers et al. put the two analgesics to the test, comparing their performance, cost, and side effect profile when used during gynecologic hysteroscopy or laparoscopy ("A comparison of the cost-effectiveness of remifentanil versus fentanyl as an adjuvant to general anesthesia for outpatient gynecologic surgery," Anesth Analg, December 2000;91(6): 1420-1425).

Both medications produced similar results in most patients, the researchers found. Most intra-and postoperative side effects occurred with comparable frequency and severity regardless of which opioid was used during surgery. Patient satisfaction, recovery times, pain scores, and postoperative painkiller requirements were also similar between patients treated with fentanyl and remifentanil.

However, ...