Fentanyl-induced chest wall rigidity occurred in an 8-week-old infant
girl recovering from surgical repair of coarctation of the aorta. The
neonate received 30 minutes of a moderate dose continuous infusion of
fentanyl before chest wall rigidity developed. Association of the ches
t wall rigidity with the fentanyl infusion resulted in the appropriate
intervention of narcotic reversal and prevented irreversible hypoxic
sequelae. Patients receiving fentanyl, even at moderate doses, are at
risk for the development of chest wall rigidity.