Evaluation of the Stress Response in Bariatric Surgery With and Without the Use of Opioids

Opioid Free Anaesthesia has attracted the attention of clinicians since the outbreak of the opioid pandemic in the USA. It has been correlated with less intraoperative and postoperative opioid use. The Nociceptive Level Index algorithm allows for intraoperative monitoring of the nociceptive pathways and targeted pain management. Furthermore, it is known that morbidly obese patients may benefit from opioid sparing techniques. Our aim is to investigate the effect of Opioid Free versus Opioid Based Anesthesia on postoperative pain in patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy. In this randomized, double blind clinical trial, patients will be allocated into two groups based on intraoperative pain management. Apart from recording postoperative pain scores, blood samples will be collected intraoperatively to evaluate the stress response among the two groups.