The effect of magnesium sulfate on postoperative pain in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery under remifentanil-based anesthesia

Abstract

Background: Opioid tolerance may involve activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) system. The possible involvement of the NMDA system suggests that one of the NMDA receptor antagonists, magnesium may be a useful adjunct to opioids for the treatment of postoperative pain following remifentanil infusion.