| Methods |
Randomized controlled trial. Karolinska Institute at Danderyds Hospital, Denderyd, Sweden. |
| Participants |
165 pregnant women. ASA I group. Elective ambulatory termination of pregnancy. Gestational age: 7‐12 weeks. Patient age: 17‐44. |
| Interventions |
Group 1: alfentanil 0.5mg.
Group 2: fentanyl 0.1mg.
Group 3: placebo (saline).
All participants: anesthesia induced with propofol and thereafter nitrous oxide in oxygen 2:1. Additional boluses of propofol 10‐30mg as needed. Paracetamol and diclofenac for postoperative pain on patient request. |
| Outcomes |
Peroperative: Complications during anesthesia, such as laryngospasm. Surgeons opinion about quality of anesthesia. Amount propofol required.
Postoperative: Complaint of pain to nurse (yes/no). Request for analgesia. Nausea, vomiting.
Patient self ‐assessment: qustionnaire just prior to discharge, asking about postoperative pain (slight versus intense) and emesis. |
| Notes |
Per e‐mail communication with Dr. Jakobsson: Study lasted approximately 3 months. Blinding of patient and outcome assessor. Randomization per computer. Allocation concealment with envelope technique. Gestational age 7‐12 weeks. Power analysis done. All underwent vacuum aspiration followed by sharp curettage check.
One patient in the placebo group was excluded because of pronounced postoperative beeding. Data of 164 patients was analyzed.
Laryngospasm in 2 patients in the placebo and in one patient in the alfentanil group. Regurgitation requiring intubation in one patient in the placebo group.
No industry sponsorship. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
Low risk |
A ‐ Adequate |
