Disoprofol and fentanyl for total intravenous anaesthesia.

Ninety patients undergoing a variety of surgical procedures were anaesthetised with a disoprofol infusion and increments of fentanyl. The first 40 patients constituted a preliminary dose finding study and the subsequent 50 patients a dose comparison study. The second 50 patients were alternately allocated to receive a maintenance infusion of disoprofol 150 or 200 micrograms/kg/minute. Fentanyl (1 microgram/kg) at induction was followed by further small increments when indicated. Maintenance dosage of 200 micrograms/kg/minute provided good operating conditions and rapid uncomplicated recovery in spontaneously breathing patients, while 150 micrograms/kg/minute proved inadequate to prevent patient movement.