Comparison of alfentanil and halothane anaesthesia in paediatric ambulatory ENT surgery

Forty children undergoing adenoidectomy were randomized to receive halothane (0.5-1.5%) or alfentanil (50 I~g bolus followed by 0.5-1.5 I~g kg 1 min-1 infusion) anaesthesia. All patients received N20 and vecuronium. All patients in the alfentanil group required supplemental boluses of alfentanil (10 lag kg -1) to control intraoperative hypertension. Emergence, recovery and discharge times as well as postoperative analgesic requirements were not significantly different between the two groups. We conclude that both techniques are suitable for paediatric ambulatory surgical patients.