IngentaConnect Abdominal pressure during laparoscopy: effects of fentanyl

Authors: G.B. Drummond¹; M.K. Duncan¹

Source: BJA: British Journal of Anaesthesia, Volume 88, Number 3, 1 March 2002 , pp. 384-388(5)

Abstract:

Background. In patients breathing spontaneously during anaesthesia, expiration is active and opioids enhance this effect. The mechanical consequences are not well characterized.

Methods. We studied 14 patients undergoing laparoscopy for minor gynaecological procedures, anaesthetized with isoflurane in nitrous oxide, and breathing spontaneously through a laryngeal mask airway. We made direct recordings of intra-abdominal pressure and respiratory flow before and after giving fentanyl 25 µg i.v.

Results. Satisfactory records were obtained in 11 patients. Before fentanyl, the abdominal pressure changes were small and had an inconsistent pattern, increasing in inspiration in seven patients and during expiration in five. After fentanyl, an increase in pressure during inspiration was seen in only two patients, and the intra-abdominal pressure during expiration was increased. The mean value of maximum abdominal pressure (which always occurred during expiration) increased from 17 (sd 5) cm H₂O before to 25 (9) cm H₂O after fentanyl (P<0.01).

Conclusions. Direct measurements support previous findings that opioids stimulate active phasic expiratory activity and can cause large increases in abdominal pressure.

Br J Anaesth 2002; 88: 384–8

Keywords: Keywords: analgesics, opioid, fentanyl; muscles, respiratory

Document Type: Original article

Affiliations: 1: Department of Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh EH3 9YW, UK 1Present address: Department of Anaesthetics, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Herston, Queensland 4029, Australia*Corresponding author

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Abdominal pressure during laparoscopy: effects of fentanyl†

Abdominal pressure during laparoscopy: effects of fentanyl^†