Alfentanil infusion for abdominal surgery.

Twelve patients undergoing abdominal surgery were studied. Alfentanil was used as the sole anesthetic agent in these patients via a predetermined infusion regime. In 7 cases this was sufficient but in five cases the infusion had to be supplemented. Induction was with alfentanil 100 micrograms/kg over 2 minutes, then 10 micrograms/kg/min for 10 minutes followed by 2 micrograms/kg/min for 50 minutes. After one hour the infusion rate was varied between 1-3 micrograms/kg/min. Vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg with increments of 0.025-0.075 mg/kg was used for neuromuscular blockade in nine patients, the other three patients received identical doses of pancuronium. There was no statistically significant change in blood pressure and heart rate after induction or in response to intubation and both were well maintained throughout surgery.