Propofol can be used as a sedative. And, opioids are also frequently used to relieve pain or to induce sedation during monitored anesthetic care. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of additional alfentanil for sedation.

Forty-four patients scheduled for ERCP (endoscopic retrograde pancreatocholangiography) were allocated to one of two groups (group 1: propofol without alfentanil, group 2: propofol with alfentanil). In group 2, we mixed propofol with 1,000 µg alfentanil, and administered propofol using a target controlled infusion (TCI). During ERCP, we checked oxygen saturation, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, complications (hypoxemia, agitation, bradycardia, tachycardia). After the procedure, we also checked recovery characteristics; complications (nausea/vomiting, itching, urinary retention, soar throat), and satisfaction scores by using the VAS system (0-100 mm, 0 mm: no satisfaction at all, 100 mm: perfect satisfaction).

There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the recovery characteristics, incidence of complications and the satisfaction score of endoscopist or patients. And the total amounts of propofol used were not significantly different. Only S_PO₂, systolic blood pressure and heart rate showed slight differences, but these were not clinically significant.

We concluded that the sedation using propofol mixed with 1,000 µg alfentanil has no merit compared with plain propofol.