Comparative evaluation of morphine and fentanyl for emergence following supratentorial craniotomy

Background: The emergence from anaesthesia is a very crucial aspect in neurosurgical patients due to the need for evaluation of neurological status in the immediate post-operative period. The present study evaluates the emergence characteristics following administration of morphine as compared to shorter-acting opioid, fentanyl in patients undergoing supratentorial craniotomy. Methods: A total of 84 patients were included in the study. The patients either received morphine 0.1 mg/kg before induction or fentanyl 2 mcg/kg body weight at induction, 1 mcg/kg before skin incision and at the beginning of dural closure. Doses of both opioids were repeated as judged clinically during surgery. Following surgery, the trachea was extubated after reversal of residual neuromuscular blockade, and the emergence characteristics of patients in the two groups were compared. Results: The mean time to emergence was 8.5 ± 3.7 min in morphine group whereas it was 7.8 ± 5.1 min in fentanyl group (P = 0.11). Conclusions: Morphine appears similar to fentanyl for facilitating early emergence in patients undergoing an elective supratentorial craniotomy.