British journal of anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
A controlled trial of extradural fentanyl in labour.
In a double-blind trial carried out on patients in the first stage of labour, either fentanyl 80 micrograms (n = 35) or physiological saline (n = 33) was added to the test dose of bupivacaine and administered extradurally. Thereafter analgesia was maintained as necessary with 0.5% bupivacaine alone. ⋯ Analgesia was more rapid in onset and more complete in the fentanyl group, and the duration from first dose to first top-up was 2.36 h, compared with 1.66 h (supplements notwithstanding) in the control group. No serious side-effects were encountered in either group, although eight patients in the fentanyl group experienced mild itching, compared with one in the control group.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Recovery from day-case anaesthesia. Comparison between methohexitone, Althesin and etomidate.
One hundred unpremedicated patients, undergoing short gynaecological procedures, were randomly allocated to receive one of three i.v. hypnotic agents (methohexitone, Althesin and etomidate) alone or in combination with fentanyl, to supplement 66% nitrous oxide in oxygen. Recovery was assessed by the time patients took to open the eyes, to give correct date of birth, to achieve a certain level of manipulative skill with a children's post-box toy, and to perform a paper and pencil test. ⋯ Administration of fentanyl with Althesin or methohexitone did not significantly prolong the "post-box" recovery time. Side-effects were less common with Althesin, with or without fentanyl and etomidate with fentanyl was associated with the greatest frequency of complications.