FENTANYL AND THE β-ENDORPHIN, ACTH AND GLUCOREGULATORY HORMONAL RESPONSE TO SURGERY

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Abstract
The effect of the supplementation of nitrous oxide-oxygen anaesthesia with either fentanyl 15 .mu.g kg-1 or 0.5% halothane on the .beta.-endorphin, ACTH, glucoregulatory hormonal and metabolic response to pelvic surgery was investigated. Fentanyl inhibited the increases in circulating .beta.-endorphin, ACTH, growth hormone, cortisol and glucose concentrations found in the patients receiving halothane. Changes in circulating .beta.-endorphin concentrations during surgery probably reflect alterations in pituitary secretion and appear to have no major metabolic effects. The suppression of pituitary secretion persisted for at least 4 h after the start of surgery.