Comparison of Balanced Anesthesia Protocols in Gastric Sleeve Surgery in Terms of Postoperative Opioid Consumption

During gastric sleeve surgery under general anesthesia, various drugs are administered intraoperatively to induce loss of consciousness, immobility, and pain relief (analgesia). Opioids are the most commonly used analgesics. However, the response to opioids varies widely, and their use is associated with significant side effects. In balanced general anesthesia, in addition to opioid medications, hypnotics, NMDA antagonists (ketamine, magnesium sulfate), sodium channel blockers (local anesthetics), anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, dexamethasone), and alpha-2 agonists (dexmedetomidine, clonidine) may be used. One of the components of ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) protocols, which aim to reduce metabolic stress developing in response to surgery and promote rapid recovery after surgery, is to provide effective postoperative analgesia while using opioids as little as possible. These different anesthesia approaches may offer options for surgery.

The addition of ketamine to anesthesia induction and maintenance may affect postoperative opioid consumption. Adding ketamine to anesthesia induction and maintenance may affect postoperative opioid consumption. Reducing opioid consumption can prevent opioid-related side effects such as nausea, constipation, and itching.

Opioid-related side effects such as nausea, constipation, and itching can be prevented by reducing opioid consumption.