Remifentanil with morphine transitional analgesia shortens neurological recovery compared to fentanyl for supratentorial craniotomy.

Purpose: To compare the recovery profiles, efficacy and safety of remifentanil and morphine for transitional analgesia with fentanyl in patients undergoing elective craniotomy for supratentorial mass lesions.

Methods: Ninety-one patients were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, multicentre study. Anesthesia was induced with thiopental and remifentanil (1.