BACKGROUND: Laryngoscopy, tracheal intubation and suspension laryngoscopy may cause acute hemodynamic responses such as hypertension and tachycardia. Thus, anesthetic technique during laryngoscopic surgery should be focused on sufficient anesthetic depth and rapid recovery. We investigated the effects of alfentanil to hemodynamic responses and recovery during laryngoscopic surgery.

METHODS: Seventy five patients of ASA class 1 or 2 scheduled for laryngoscopic surgery were randomly divided into three groups. Each group received intravenous normal saline 2 ml (control group), alfentanil 10 µg/kg (A10 group), alfentanil 20 µg/kg (A20 group) respectively and then followed by induction of thiopental sodium 5 mg/kg and succinylcholine 1 mg/kg. The systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate were measured at baseline, immediately and 1 minute after intubation, immediately and 1, 2, 3 minutes after placement of suspension laryngoscopy. The time of suction catheter response, eye opening and extubation were evaluated during recovery periods.

RESULTS: The hemodynamic responses to tracheal intubation were blocked in the A10, A20 groups compared with control group. But the hemodynamic responses to placement of suspension laryngoscopy were blocked only by A20 group. The time of eye opening and extubation were no significant differences among groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Alfentanil 20 µg/kg effectively alleviate the hemodynamic responses by tracheal intubation and suspension laryngoscopy during laryngoscopic surgery.