Alfentanil analgesia/sedation for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy: a comparison with general and epidural anesthesia.

An alfentanil infusion was used to produce analgesia and sedation for patients undergoing extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy with the Dornier HM-4 lithotripter. This was compared to general and epidural anesthesia in a retrospective review of 197 consecutive patients. Total care time, anesthesia time, and recovery room time were shorter for the alfentanil analgesia/sedation group. The incidence of nausea and vomiting was similar in all three groups. Technical failure (requiring switching to general anesthesia) was not significantly different than when performed with epidural anesthesia. The technique was simple and reliable when performed by a large number of anesthesia practitioners (anesthesiologists, anesthesia residents and CRNAs).