Awareness during anesthesia in elective abdominal surgery in opium abusers

There are a number of reports regarding awareness during anesthesia and its risk factors. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of awareness in elective abdominal surgery in opium abusers compared with non-abusers. In a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study, 120 patients were selected and were divided into two groups, opium addicts and non addicts, 60 patients in each. The patients were compared regarding clinical criteria during anesthesia. They were reviewed regarding the content of their answers to the study questionnaire, after a time interval of 24 hours postoperatively (after the surgery).