A comparison of recovery in outpatients receiving fentanyl versus those receiving butorphanol.

The frequency of postanesthesia side effects and times to reach "benchmarks" in the recovery process for IV preinduction doses of 20 micrograms/kg butorphanol, 40 micrograms/kg butorphanol, or a 2 micrograms/kg dose of fentanyl were compared in a double-blinded study involving ambulatory surgical patients. The authors hypothesized that all drugs would perform equally well in all study areas. Sixty ASA physical status I and II women undergoing laparoscopic tubal sterilization were randomly assigned to one of three groups: Group I (n = 20) received 20 micrograms/kg butorphanol as a preinduction agent; Group II (n = 20) received 40 micrograms/kg butorphanol; Group III (n = 20) received 2 micrograms/kg fentanyl. Anesthesia management for all groups was the same. Statistically significant variance was found in time to discharge-ready status and duration of nausea (p less than 0.05) between 40 micrograms/kg butorphanol and 2 micrograms/kg fentanyl, but no significant difference was found between 20 micrograms/kg butorphanol and 2 micrograms/kg fentanyl in these areas. Statistically significant variance was found in duration of dizziness and time to obtain a 10 on the Aldrete Post Anesthesia Recovery Score (APARS) between 40 micrograms/kg butorphanol and 20 micrograms/kg butorphanol and 40 micrograms/kg butorphanol and 2 micrograms/kg fentanyl. From the study, 20 micrograms/kg butorphanol appears to be as suitable as 2 micrograms/kg fentanyl for use as a preinduction narcotic analgesic, whereas 40 micrograms/kg butorphanol appears to be unsuitable due to increased duration of nausea, dizziness, and time to score 10 on APARS and reach discharge-ready status.