Remifentanil-related muscle rigidity during osteotomy procedures

We write to draw attention to muscle rigidity as an important adverse effect of the use of remifentanil in anaesthesia. Remifentanil is a short-acting synthetic opioid often used in combination with propofol as a form of TIVA (total intravenous anaesthesia) or with inhalational agents. These drug combinations provide good equilibrium between depth of anaesthesia and recovery time and obtund noxious stimuli. Use of remifentanil in orthognathic surgery has been advocated to produce conditions of hypotensive anaesthesia, which are associated with reduced blood loss and haemodynamic stability intraoperatively. 1 Nooh N. Abdelhalim A.A. Abdullah W.A. et al. Effect of remifentanil on the hemodynamic responses and recovery profile of patients undergoing single jaw orthognathic surgery. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2013; 42: 988-993 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (12) Google Scholar