Table 2 Summary of findings and quality of evidence (GRADE)
Variable | No of Participants (studies) | Effect Size (95% CI) | Heterogeneity (I2) | Quality of Comments the Evidence (GRADE) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pain score at 1-2 h | ||||
 remifentanil vs placebo | 426(8 studies) | WMD 0.71(0.17, 1.24) | 68% | ⊕⊕2,3 |
 high dose vs low dose | 909(13 studies) | WMD 0.60(0.05, 1.15) | 94% | ⊕⊕⊕3 |
Pain score at 3-8 h | ||||
 remifentanil vs placebo | 326(6 studies) | WMD 0.73(0.39, 1.08) | 42% | ⊕⊕⊕2 |
 high dose vs low dose | 1122(16 studies) | WMD 0.38(0.00, 0.75) | 85% | ⊕⊕⊕3 |
Pain score at 24 h | ||||
 remifentanil vs placebo | 516(9 studies) | WMD 0.10(-0.10, 0.30) | 29% | ⊕⊕⊕2 |
 high dose vs low dose | 1269(18 studies) | WMD 0.26(0.04, 0.48) | 82% | ⊕⊕⊕3 |
Pain score at 48 h | ||||
 remifentanil vs placebo | 247(4 studies) | WMD 0.15(-0.22, 0.52) | 0% | ⊕⊕⊕1 |
 high dose vs low dose | 467(8 studies) | WMD 0.32(0.09, 0.55) | 34% | ⊕⊕⊕⊕ |
periincisional wound allodynia | ||||
 high dose vs low dose | 441(7 studies) | SMD -1.14(-1.47, -0.80) | 61% | ⊕⊕⊕3 |
forearm allodynia | ||||
 high dose vs low dose | 174(3 studies) | SMD -0.46(-0.82, -0.10) | 28% | ⊕⊕⊕1 |
Analgesic consumption at 0-8 h | ||||
 remifentanil vs placebo | 306(6 studies) | SMD 0.42(0.09, 0.75) | 51% | ⊕⊕2,3 |
 high dose vs low dose | 675(9 studies) | SMD 1.28(0.41, 2.16) | 96% | ⊕⊕⊕3 |
Analgesic consumption at 12 h | ||||
 high dose vs low dose | 557(6 studies) | SMD 2.50(1.17, 3.83) | 98% | ⊕⊕⊕3 |
Analgesic consumption at 24-48 h | ||||
 remifentanil vs placebo | 446(8 studies) | SMD 0.08(-0.31, 0.47) | 75% | ⊕⊕2,3 |
 high dose vs low dose | 1041(16 studies) | SMD 0.94(0.40, 1.49) | 94% | ⊕⊕⊕3 |
Time to first postoperative analgesic requirement | ||||
 remifentanil vs placebo | 200(3 studies) | WMD-25.27(-32.09, -18.46) | 72% | ⊕1,2,3 |
 high dose vs low dose | 521(9 studies) | WMD -7.53(-10.31, -4.75) | 31% | ⊕⊕⊕⊕ |
PONV | ||||
 remifentanil vs placebo | 414(6 studies) | OR 1.46(0.92, 2.32) | 0% | ⊕⊕⊕⊕ |
 high dose vs low dose | 1231(17 studies) | OR 1.13(0.87, 1.45) | 9% | ⊕⊕⊕⊕ |
Shivering | ||||
 high dose vs low dose | 572(6 studies) | OR 3.98(2.59, 6.13) | 0% | ⊕⊕⊕⊕ |