Increased dose of remifentanil caused difficult ventilation at emergence from general anesthesia

Remifentanil induces a higher incidence of respiratory rigidity than other opioids, especially when it is given at bolus injection for anesthetic induction. A 71-year-old man underwent pharyngo-laryngeal surgery under general anesthesia with remifentanil and sevoflurane. At the end of surgery, the ventilation through a tracheal tube became difficult due to muscle rigidity simultaneously with the increased dose of remifentanil and the decreased sevoflurane concentration. It should be kept in mind that increased doses of remifentanil during as well as at the end of surgery cause difficult ventilation associated with muscle rigidity.