Alfentanil in an anaesthetic technique for penetrating eye injuries

Alfentanil in three doses (10, 20 and 30 micrograms/kg) was added to an anaesthetic technique suitable for penetrating eye injuries. All three doses proved effective in abolishing the marked present response to tracheal intubation which occurs with this technique, but at least 20 micrograms/kg was needed to obtund the heart rate response significantly and to facilitate early intubation. Transient hypotension and bradycardia occurred in some patients who received the highest dose of alfentanil. The incidence of postoperative sequelae was small in all groups. Thus, the optimal dose of alfentanil in an anaesthetic technique for penetrating eye injuries appears to be 20 micrograms/kg.