[The effect of alfentanil on pain caused by the injection of propofol during anesthesia induction in children].

Three modes of administration of alfentanil were assessed in order to reduce pain on injection with propofol. Forty healthy children scheduled for ENT surgery were included in this double-blind randomized study. All patients received intrarectal premedication with midazolam and atropine. Pain was scored with a behavioral scale. The children experience pain when alfentanil was administered a few seconds before or just after propofol. An bolus injection reduced significantly discomfort in patients. Dosages of alfentanil in plasma might determine the right moment of propofol injection to obtain analgesia.