We studied the effects of sevoflurane, remifentanil hydrochloride, and alfentanil anesthesia in terms of the hemodynamic responses and emergence characteristics of patients scheduled for elective microlaryngeal surgery. Sixty patients (ASA I to III) were randomly allocated into 2 groups: group S-R (sevoflurane-remifentanil) and group S-A (sevoflurane-alfentanil; 1:20 and 1:4 ratios of remifentanil to alfentanil for induction and maintenance of anesthesia, respectively; doses not strictly equipotent). The mean arterial pressure and heart rate were measured before and after induction of anesthesia, 1 and 3 minutes after endotracheal intubation, at the insertion of the operating laryngoscope, and every 3 minutes during surgery. The emergence times and side effects during the first 30 minutes after surgery were also recorded. The mean arterial pressure values at the insertion of the operating laryngoscope and throughout the procedure were significantly greater (p < .05) in group S-A than in group S-R. The emergence times and postoperative side effects did not differ, except for the greater pain score (p < .05) in group S-R. In conclusion, sevoflurane with remifentanil seems to maintain cardiovascular stability during microlaryngeal surgery more effectively than sevoflurane with alfentanil. Both anesthetic regimens seem to provide rapid and uneventful emergence.

We studied 29 patients in the final stage of head or neck cancer who were suffering pain that was not relieved by oral morphine. Cervical or thoracic epidural morphine was administered to relieve the pain. The quality of analgesia was equally good for both techniques. However, cervical epidural administration appeared to be superior, because much smaller doses of morphine were required in order to induce more rapid and longer analgesia.

Oral premedication with rofecoxib seems to be more effective than use of ketoprofen in decreasing postoperative pain and the need for opioid rescue medication after elective tonsillectomy. Both drugs seem to be relatively safe as far as postoperative bleeding is concerned.

We conclude that esmolol administration of 2 mg/kg during induction of anesthesia in smokers provides hemodynamic stability after laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation with no severe side effects.