Abstract: Objective To observe the effect and safety of Sufentanil for prevention from agitation and stress reaction during recovery period from etomidate-based anesthesia in elderly patients undergoing radical gastrectomy. Methods Ninety ASA Ⅰ-Ⅱ patients undergoing radical gastrectomy under general anesthesia,aged 60 to 75 years,were enrolled in this study.The patients were randomly divided into three groups:Group S(maintained with Sufentanil),Group F(maintained with Fentanyl) and Group R(maintained with Remifentanil).The hemodynamic changes during the anesthesia in all groups were recorded.The MAP,HR and SpO₂ were recorded at T1(extubation),T2(20 minutes after extubation) and T3(30 minutes after extubation).The stay in the recovery room,postoperative complications,Riker Sedation-Agitation score and VAS score in the recovery period,and FLACC score for facial expressions,body movements,activities,crying,can be soothing 30 minutes after the extubation were documented. Results During Induction of Anesthesia and surgery,the hemodynamics parameters in all three groups were stable.During recovery time,the heart rate and blood pressure in group S were more stable as compared with group F and group R;The incidence of agitation,Riker Sedation-Agitation score and FLACC score in the group S was obviously lower than those in group F and R,the difference was significant(P<0.05).The difference in the time to recovery and time to extubation among the three groups was not significant(P>0.05). Conclusion The maintain anesthesia with Sufentanil in patients undergoing radical gastrectomy can maintain a stable hemodynamics,not prolong the time to extubation and recovery,and effectively prevent the agitation caused by etomidate-based anesthesia during recovery period and decrease the stress reactions.