Comparison of intravenous ketorolac and alfentanil as supplements to propofol anesthesia for diagnostic panendoscopy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine if ketorolac tromethamine is an acceptable alternative to alfentanil as a supplement to propofol for diagnostic panendoscopy. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind study. SETTING: University medical center. PATIENTS: 40 patients scheduled for panendoscopy and laryngeal tissue biopsy. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to receive either alfentanil 14.5 micrograms/kg or ketorolac 1.0 mg/kg in a double-blind fashion, 5 to 10 minutes before induction of general anesthesia. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Heart rate (HR) and noninvasive blood pressure (BP) were measured and recorded before and immediately after injection of the study drug, after laryngoscopy for the endotracheal tube placement, and after initiation of diagnostic panendoscopy. Bleeding in the operative field was rated by the endoscopist. Observation from discontinuation of the propofol infusion and nitrous oxide inhalation to eye opening, head lifting, and orientation to time and place was observed and recorded. The presence of stridor after extubation, and pulse oximeter-determined arterial blood oxyhemoglobin saturation immediately after extubation and 5 minutes later, were noted. In the recovery room, the ability to tolerate oral fluids, sit, stand, and walk were recorded. Supplementation with ketorolac provides faster recovery from anesthesia as evidenced by shorter time to eye opening, head lifting, and orientation to time and place. However, no intergroup differences were found in measured intraoperative variables (BP and HR following laryngoscopy, tracheal intubation, diagnostic panendoscopy, and tissue biopsy). Operative site bleeding was comparable in both groups. The variables reflecting street readiness and the incidence of nausea and vomiting were statistically comparable. CONCLUSION: Supplementation of propofol anesthesia with ketorolac is an efficacious alternative to supplementation with alfentanil. The faster recovery in the ketorolac group is explained by the mostly peripheral effect of this drug, whereas the slow decline in the alfentanil concentration at the effective site may be responsible for slower emergence from anesthesia.