Remifentanil-related muscle rigidity during osteotomy procedures

We write to draw attention to muscle rigidity as an important adverse effect of remifentanil use in anaesthesia. Remifentanil is a short-acting synthetic opioid often used in combination with propofol as a form of TIVA (total intra-venous anaesthesia) or with inhalational agents. These drug combinations provide good equilibrium between depth of anaesthesia and recovery time and obtund noxious stimuli. Use of remifentanil in orthognathic surgery has been advocated to produce conditions of hypotensive anaesthesia, associated with reduced blood loss and haemodynamic stability intra-operatively.
Source: The British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - Category: ENT & OMF Authors: Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research