[Comparison of a combination of fentanyl and alfentanil with propofol in brief surgery]

We studied 96 patients undergoing short gynecological procedures. Anaesthesia has been induced with fentanyl 1.5 micrograms/kg (45 patients) or alfentanil micrograms /kg (51 patients) and a hypnotic dose of propofol, and maintained with 70\% N2O via facial mask. We observed a better and more rapid control of surgical analgesia with alfentanil, and an earlier recovery of postoperative psychophysical functions. Post-induction apnea has been more frequent and prolonged in the alfentanil group, but no difference in the time necessary to recover an adequate ventilation has been observed between the two groups. Alfentanil anaesthesia determined a more marked intraoperative bradycardia. By virtue of the speed of onset and the short duration of action, alfentanil is a suitable anaesthetic agent for short surgical procedures, particularly in day-stay patients.