Determining the optimal fentanyl dose for dilation and curettage procedures
Uğur, B.; Oğurlu, M.; Yilmaz, S.; Kivrak, V.
Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics and Gynecology 39(4): 509-511
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 0390-6663 PMID: 23444755 Document Number: 656765
This study attempted to determine an optimal dose of fentanyl, a drug frequently used in dilation and curettage (D&C) procedures, which is commonly performed as a brief outpatient intervention. The optimal fentanyl dose was determined using Dixon's up-and-down method. The study was accomplished with a beginning fentanyl dose of 1 microg kg(-1) with a step size of 0.1 microg kg(-1) fentanyl. The ED50 [95% confidence interval (CI)] for fentanyl for successful anesthesia in D&C procedures was found to be 0.45 (0.35-0.55) microg kg(-1) and the ED95 value was 0.50 (0.45-0.60) microg kg(-1). This dose is considerably lower than the standard dose that is used at present, which is 1 microg kg(-1). To the best of our knowledge, the current study is the first to show that a significantly reduced dose of fentanyl can be as effective as higher doses in D&C procedures using Dixon's up-and-down method.