Clinical application of remifentanil in local anesthesia for tumor resection in functional brain area.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate clinical application of remifentanil in local anesthesia for resection of tumors in functional brain area.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients were randomly divided into two groups: control group and remifentanil group. In remifentanil group remifentanil was infused intravenously with micro pump in 0.05-0.1 µg·kg-1·min-1. The hemodynamic changes and complications during operation were monitored.

RESULTS: The satisfactory degree for surgical procedure was evaluated. The surgery of two groups could be completed in a conscious state. Mean artery pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) in remifentanil group during opening or closing skull or intra- cranial period were significantly lower than control group (p < 0.05). There were no conspicuous complications in two groups such as respiratory depression, nausea, vomitting and dysphoria. Satisfaction rate of remifentanyl group was significantly higher than control group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Awake brain tumor surgery could be completed in rational use of remifentanil on the base of good local anesthesia, and hemodynamics were stable and the patients were well tolerated.