Fentanyl vs. Remifentanil in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Effects on Bowel Function and Pain

NCT ID: NCT07182097

Last Updated: 2025-09-23

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

106 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-09-19

Study Completion Date

2026-04-30

Brief Summary

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Background: Postoperative ileus (POI) is a common complication after abdominal surgery, leading to delayed gastrointestinal recovery, prolonged hospitalization, and increased healthcare costs. Opioids, while essential for intraoperative analgesia, are known to impair bowel motility through their μ-receptor effects. Among opioids, fentanyl and remifentanil are widely used but differ in their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles. Remifentanil undergoes rapid metabolism, resulting in a shorter context-sensitive half-life, while fentanyl accumulates with longer infusions. Although remifentanil may theoretically have less impact on bowel recovery, its potential to induce opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH) and increased analgesic requirements might prolong gastrointestinal dysfunction and worsen postoperative pain outcomes.

Objective: This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of intraoperative fentanyl versus remifentanil on the recovery of postoperative bowel function and pain outcomes in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods: A total of 106 patients, aged 18-65 years and classified as ASA I-II, will be randomized into two groups: Group F (fentanyl) and Group R (remifentanil). Standardized anesthesia with propofol, rocuronium, and sevoflurane will be applied. The primary endpoint is time to first flatus. Secondary endpoints include time to first defecation, tolerance of oral diet, incidence of prolonged POI, postoperative pain scores, analgesic consumption, PONV incidence, PACU and hospital length of stay, and patient satisfaction.

Significance: The findings of this study will provide clinical evidence on whether fentanyl or remifentanil is more advantageous in terms of gastrointestinal recovery and pain management following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Postoperative Bowel Function Postoperative Pain

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

OTHER

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Participants Investigators Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Fentanyl Group

Patients will receive fentanyl 2 µg/kg IV bolus at induction, followed by a continuous infusion of 1-2 µg/kg/h during maintenance of anesthesia. Standard anesthesia will be provided with propofol, rocuronium, and sevoflurane.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Fentanyl 2 µg/kg IV bolus + 1-2 µg/kg/h infusion during anesthesia

Intervention Type DRUG

Patients will receive fentanyl 2 µg/kg IV bolus at induction, followed by a continuous infusion of 1-2 µg/kg/h during maintenance of anesthesia. Standard anesthesia will be provided with propofol, rocuronium, and sevoflurane.

Remifentanil Group

Patients will receive remifentanil 1 µg/kg IV bolus at induction, followed by a continuous infusion of 0.1-1 µg/kg/min during maintenance of anesthesia. Standard anesthesia will be provided with propofol, rocuronium, and sevoflurane.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Remifentanil 1 µg/kg IV bolus + 0.1-1 µg/kg/min infusion during anesthesia

Intervention Type DRUG

Patients will receive remifentanil 1 µg/kg IV bolus at induction, followed by a continuous infusion of 0.1-1 µg/kg/min during maintenance of anesthesia. Standard anesthesia will be provided with propofol, rocuronium, and sevoflurane.

Interventions

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Fentanyl 2 µg/kg IV bolus + 1-2 µg/kg/h infusion during anesthesia

Patients will receive fentanyl 2 µg/kg IV bolus at induction, followed by a continuous infusion of 1-2 µg/kg/h during maintenance of anesthesia. Standard anesthesia will be provided with propofol, rocuronium, and sevoflurane.

Intervention Type DRUG

Remifentanil 1 µg/kg IV bolus + 0.1-1 µg/kg/min infusion during anesthesia

Patients will receive remifentanil 1 µg/kg IV bolus at induction, followed by a continuous infusion of 0.1-1 µg/kg/min during maintenance of anesthesia. Standard anesthesia will be provided with propofol, rocuronium, and sevoflurane.

Intervention Type DRUG

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Age 18-65 years
* American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II
* Scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy
* Provided written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

* Opioid use preoperatively
* Previous abdominal surgery
* History of ileus or gastrointestinal disease
* Preoperative electrolyte imbalance
* Liver or renal failure
* Neuromuscular or psychiatric disorders
* Known allergy to study medications
* Emergency surgery
* Surgical duration exceeding 90 minutes
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Konya City Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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MUSTAFA BÜYÜKCAVLAK

Specialist in Anesthesiology and Intensive Care

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Konya City Hospital

Karatay, Konya, Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Turkey (Türkiye)

Central Contacts

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MUSTAFA BÜYÜKCAVLAK, MD

Role: CONTACT

+905064733392

Facility Contacts

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MUSTAFA BÜYÜKCAVLAK, MD

Role: primary

05064733392

References

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Niedermayer S, Heyn J, Guenther F, Kuchenhoff H, Luchting B. Remifentanil for abdominal surgery is associated with unexpectedly unfavorable outcomes. Pain. 2020 Feb;161(2):266-273. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001713.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 31592999 (View on PubMed)

de Boer HD, Detriche O, Forget P. Opioid-related side effects: Postoperative ileus, urinary retention, nausea and vomiting, and shivering. A review of the literature. Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol. 2017 Dec;31(4):499-504. doi: 10.1016/j.bpa.2017.07.002. Epub 2017 Jul 8.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29739538 (View on PubMed)

Muller-Lissner S, Bassotti G, Coffin B, Drewes AM, Breivik H, Eisenberg E, Emmanuel A, Laroche F, Meissner W, Morlion B. Opioid-Induced Constipation and Bowel Dysfunction: A Clinical Guideline. Pain Med. 2017 Oct 1;18(10):1837-1863. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnw255.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 28034973 (View on PubMed)

Vather R, Trivedi S, Bissett I. Defining postoperative ileus: results of a systematic review and global survey. J Gastrointest Surg. 2013 May;17(5):962-72. doi: 10.1007/s11605-013-2148-y. Epub 2013 Feb 2.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 23377782 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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364/2025

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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