The Effect of a Small Priming Dose of Sufentanil on Sufentanil-Induced Cough

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a small priming dose of sufentanil on sufentanil-induced cough during induction of anesthesia. Randomized controlled trial. Adult patients (N = 220) aged 18 to 65 years undergoing general anesthesia were randomized into two groups (n = 110), a total dose of sufentanil 0.4 mcg/kg was used during induction of anesthesia. Group P (intervention) received a bolus of 5 mcg of sufentanil 1 minute before a bolus of the remaining larger dose of sufentanil, whereas group C (comparison) received an equal volume of normal saline 1 minute before a bolus of the total dose of sufentanil. The incidence and severity of cough were noted for 1 minute after each injection of sufentanil or normal saline. The incidence of cough in group P was significantly lower than group C (6.4% vs 21.8%, P