Remifentanil used as adjuvant in general anesthesia for spinal fusion does not exhibit acute opioid tolerance

摘要

BackgroundAlthough acute tolerance to opioids, especially to remifentanil, has been demonstrated consistently in animal studies, the results of clinical trials in humans are controversial. The aim of this study was to determine whether intraoperative infusions of remifentanil used as an adjuvant in general anesthesia result in acute tolerance, an event manifested by increased postoperative pain and a higher opioid requirement than usual.