Relevance of alfentanil as an analgesic in N20 supplemented intravenous anesthesia in ambulatory surgery

: Alfentanil is a suitable analgesic drug for nitrous oxide-supplemented intravenous anaesthesia in day case surgery--provided that the appropriate requirements are taken into consideration. Following the last bolus dose of alfentanil the plasma concentration decreased below the threshold plasma concentration for respiratory depression of 100 to 300 ng/ml alfentanil within 5 to 10 minutes. The patients showed rapid recovery from anaesthesia and were cooperative shortly after discontinuation of the intravenous drug administration. Two to three hours postoperatively there was hardly any evidence of residual impairment due to the anaesthetic. Early postoperative pain relief was required.