OBJECTIVE

Remifentanil, an ultra short-acting opioid commonly used to supplement general anesthesia, is associated with the development of hyperalgesia that manifests clinically as an increase in postoperative analgesic requirement. This study involving adolescents undergoing scoliosis surgery evaluated whether pre-treatment with morphine prior to commencing remifentanil infusion would decrease the initial 24-hr morphine consumption and pain scores.

METHODS

Forty ASA I-II pediatric patients undergoing surgical correction of idiopathic scoliosis were recruited in a prospective, randomized, double-blind fashion to receive 150 microg x kg(-1) morphine or an equal volume saline prior to commencing remifentanil by infusion. The primary outcome was the initial 24-hr postoperative morphine consumption. Numeric rating scale (NRS) pain scores at rest and on coughing were recorded, as were scores for nausea, vomiting, and sedation and incidences of pruritus.

RESULTS

The groups were demographically similar. No differences were observed between groups vis-à-vis the initial 24-hr morphine consumption, NRS pain scores, sedation, nausea, or vomiting.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-treatment with 150 microg x kg(-1) morphine did not decrease the initial 24-hr morphine consumption in adolescents who received remifentanil by infusion for surgical correction of idiopathic scoliosis.