Flurbiprofen axetil provides a prophylactic benefit against mesenteric traction syndrome associated with remifentanil infusion during laparotomy.

PURPOSE: Mesenteric traction syndrome (MTS) is caused by PGI(2) release during abdominal procedures and is often observed during abdominal surgery. We have demonstrated that MTS occurs more frequently in cases using remifentanil than in those that are not. The aim of this study was to assess the prophylactic benefit of flurbiprofen axetil on MTS in patients undergoing abdominal surgery using remifentanil.

METHODS: Thirty ASA physical status I and II patients were enrolled. They were scheduled to undergo abdominal surgery under general anesthesia with remifentanil and were randomly assigned to receive flurbiprofen axetil (group F) or saline (group C) preoperatively (n = 15 each). MTS was defined according to our simplified diagnostic criteria. Arterial blood pressure and heart rate were recorded, and the plasma 6-keto-PGF(1α) (a stable metabolite of PGI(2)) concentration was measured just before skin incision and at 20 and 60 min after skin incision (T(0), T(20), T(60)) to confirm the diagnosis of MTS.

RESULTS: Twelve of 15 (80%) patients developed MTS in group C, whereas only 1 of 15 (6.7%) patients in group F developed MTS. At T(20), the group C patients showed significantly lower arterial blood pressure (P < 0.05) and a faster heart rate (P < 0.01) than those in group F. The mean plasma 6-keto-PGF(1α) concentration was significantly elevated in group C at T(20) (P < 0.01), whereas the plasma 6-keto-PGF(1α) level remained low throughout the observation period in group F.

CONCLUSIONS: We found that preoperative administration of flurbiprofen axetil reduced the incidence of MTS during abdominal surgery with remifentanil analgesia.