Sufentanil combined with nalmefene reduce the adverse events in recovery period of patients undergoing uvulopalatopharyngoplasty – A randomized controlled trial

Background: The opioid receptors related to analgesia are mainly μ recipient, the μ receptor has a two-way mode of action: manifested by opioid analgesics and μ1 Receptor binding produces the desired analgesic effect, and μ2 Receptor binding may cause respiratory depression, nausea and vomiting and other adverse reactions. Nalmefene is an opioid receptor antagonist. Low dose Nalmefene has priority over μ2 Receptor binding makes opioid analgesics turn more to μ1 receptor binding, which is reversed μ2 Receptor mediated nausea, vomiting, respiratory depression and other adverse reactions, but does not reverse the analgesic effect. We assume that sufentanil combined with nalmefene could reduce respiratory adverse events in the patients who underwent uvulopalatopharyngoplasty during recovery. Methods: Patients with UPPP under general anesthesia were selected, and divided into control group (group C) and nalmefene group (group N) randomly. Patients in group N received sufentanil 0.1 μg/kg and nalmefene hydrochloride 0.25μg/kg at the end of the operation. Additionally, patients in group C received sufentanil 0.1 μg/kg at the end of the operation. The heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were observed and recorded before operation, immediately after extubation, and 5 min after extubation. The breathing recovery time, tracheal extubation time, consciousness score (Ramsay score、sedation-agitation scale (SAS)) and visual analog score (VAS) were carefully recorded at 5 min after extubation, and the various adverse reactions were monitored during the recovery period. Results: Ninety-six patients were finished our study finally. The breathing recovery and extubation time of group N was significantly shorter than those of group C (P < 0.05). The Ramsay score after extubation in group N was significantly lower as compared to that in group C (P < 0.05). The sedation-agitation scale of group N was observed to be significantly higher than that of group C (P < 0.05). Moreover, the incidences of respiratory depression, nausea and vomiting during the recovery period was significantly less than those in group C (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Nalmefene combined with sufentanil can significantly reduce adverse reactions in the cases of patients after UPPP, which may be beneficial to improve the quality and safety of emergence after general anesthesia.