Is Fentanyl Effective for Postoperative Analgesia in Day-Surgery?

Fentanyl is commonly used as an adjunct to general anaesthesia for day-surgery procedures. We have prospectively studied the effect of this practice on postoperative analgesia in 304 day-surgery patients, 164 undergoing termination of pregnancy and 140 having various other minor gynaecological procedures. Approximately half the patients received fentanyl, the mean dose being 50 mcg. Fentanyl given during anaesthesia had no effect during recovery on analgesic requirements or on nausea or vomiting in either pregnant or non-pregnant patients.