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Analysis of the cost-effectiveness of remifentanil-based general anesthesia: a survey of clinical economics under the Japanese health care system

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Abstract

Purpose

Remifentanil has been available in Japan for 3 years. The use of this new opioid is considered a useful adjuvant to general anesthesia. Knowing the exact cost-effectiveness of remifentanil should lead to improved anesthetic outcomes with a reasonable cost.

Methods

This single-blinded, prospective, randomized study compared the cost of remifentanil-based general anesthesia combined with isoflurane, sevoflurane, or propofol with fentanyl-based conventional techniques in 210 women who underwent breast surgeries.

Results

Remifentanil-based general anesthesia was no more expensive than fentanyl-based conventional anesthesia. Postoperative nausea and vomiting was significantly less frequent after remifentanil-based than fentanyl-based anesthesia.

Conclusion

This study shows that remifentanil-based general anesthesia is no more expensive than conventional fentanyl-based anesthesia under the Japanese health care system because of the small difference in price between remifentanil and fentanyl.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Policy Science, Tokyo Medical and Dental University Graduate School, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8519, Japan

    Takeo Nakada, Daisuke Ikeda & Kazuo Kawahara

  2. Division of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, The Cancer Institute Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

    Miyuki Yokota

  3. Division of Anesthesia, Tohjun Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

    Takeo Nakada

Authors
  1. Takeo Nakada
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  2. Daisuke Ikeda
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  3. Miyuki Yokota
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  4. Kazuo Kawahara
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Takeo Nakada.

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Nakada, T., Ikeda, D., Yokota, M. et al. Analysis of the cost-effectiveness of remifentanil-based general anesthesia: a survey of clinical economics under the Japanese health care system. J Anesth 24, 832–837 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00540-010-1006-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00540-010-1006-2

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