[Comparative study in pediatric inhalation anesthesia. Clinical characteristics and anesthetic complications with halothane and isoflurane].
OBJECTIVE
Comparative study of clinical characteristics and complications during induction, maintenance, and recovery in pediatric inhalational anesthesia between two commonly used fluoride agents (halothane and isoflurane).


METHODS
We studied 66 children aged 1 month to 13 years undergoing general anesthesia for short lasting surgery who were divided into two groups of 33 patients each one: Isoflurane group and halothane group. Induction and maintenance anesthesia was performed with the corresponding inhalant agent. Parameters measured were duration of unconsciousness, time elapsed for intubation and recovery, heart rate, arterial blood pressure, and incidence of complications.


RESULTS
Children anesthetized with isoflurane showed a shorter period of unconsciousness (1.55 +/- 0.11 min) than those anesthetized with halothane (1.91 +/- 0.12 min); whereas that the time required for intubation was significantly more prolonged (8.94 +/- 0.51 and 6.57 +/- 0.32 min, respectively). The incidence of complications was higher in the isoflurane group, mainly expressed as laryngeal spasm during the induction period. Both groups of patients showed a similar hemodynamic behaviour, although diastolic arterial pressure during maintenance anesthesia was significantly lower with isoflurane. Anesthesia recovery was faster and more predictable with isoflurane than with halothane.


CONCLUSIONS
Anesthetic agent isoflurane is less appropriate than halothane for induction in pediatric anesthesia due to a high incidence of complications, specially laryngeal spasm.
García-Sánchez
M J
MJ
Servicio de Anestesiología y Reanimación, Ciudad Sanitaria Virgen de las Nieves, Granada.
Polo
A
A
Peran
F
F
Galdo
J R
JR
López-García
J C
JC
Plaza
C
C
Almazán
A
A
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006221:Halothane / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male
D007530:Isoflurane; D006221:Halothane
Estudio comparativo en anestesia inhalatoria pediátrica. Características clínicas y complicaciones anestésicas con halotano e isoflurano.