RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Intraoperative use of remifentanil requires much more analgesics postoperatively. Moreover, remifentanil causes intraoperative hypotension and bradycardia. METHODS: The objectives are to compare intra- and post-operative drug cost between patients who received remifentanil (Group R, n = 72) and those who received fentanyl (Group F, n = 66) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy retrospectively. RESULTS: The baseline demographics were similar between the two groups. Intraoperative drug costs were 7,782 +/- 1,579 yen in Group R and 6,235 +/- 1,037 yen in Group E Postoperative drug costs were 364 +/- 521 yen in Group R and 146 +/- 153 yen in Group E Total drug costs were 8,167 +/- 1,607 yen in Group R and 6,381 +/- 1,042 yen in Group E These reached statistical significance (P < 0.01). Length of hospital stay (days) between the two groups were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Remifentanil anesthesia requires much more intra- and post-operative drug cost than fentanyl anesthesia for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.