ABSTRACT
The frequency of postanesthesia side effects and times to reach "benchmarks" in the recovery process for IV preinduction doses of 20 micrograms/kg butorphanol, 40 micrograms/kg butorphanol, or a 2 micrograms/kg dose of fentanyl were compared in a double-blinded study involving ambulatory surgical patients. The authors hypothesized that all drugs would perform equally well in all study areas. Sixty ASA physical status I and II women undergoing laparoscopic tubal sterilization were randomly assigned to one of three groups: Group I (n = 20) received 20 micrograms/kg butorphanol as a preinduction agent; Group II (n = 20) received 40 micrograms/kg butorphanol; Group III (n = 20) received 2 micrograms/kg fentanyl. Anesthesia management for all groups was the same. Statistically significant variance was found in time to discharge-ready status and duration of nausea (p less than 0.05) between 40 micrograms/kg butorphanol and 2 micrograms/kg fentanyl, but no significant difference was found between 20 micrograms/kg butorphanol and 2 micrograms/kg fentanyl in these areas. Statistically significant variance was found in duration of dizziness and time to obtain a 10 on the Aldrete Post Anesthesia Recovery Score (APARS) between 40 micrograms/kg butorphanol and 20 micrograms/kg butorphanol and 40 micrograms/kg butorphanol and 2 micrograms/kg fentanyl. From the study, 20 micrograms/kg butorphanol appears to be as suitable as 2 micrograms/kg fentanyl for use as a preinduction narcotic analgesic, whereas 40 micrograms/kg butorphanol appears to be unsuitable due to increased duration of nausea, dizziness, and time to score 10 on APARS and reach discharge-ready status.
