Sevoflurane versus halothane for general anesthesia in pediatric patients: a comparative study of vital signs, induction, and emergence.
OBJECTIVE
To compare vital signs and the speed of induction and emergence with sevoflurane versus halothane in pediatric patients.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, open study.


METHODS
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.


METHODS
40 unpremedicated ASA Physical Status I and II children age 9 months to 16 years undergoing elective inpatient otorhinolaryngologic or orthopedic surgery.


METHODS
Standardized induction of anesthesia with sevoflurane (start: 1%, maximum: 7%) or halothane (start: 0.5%, maximum: 5%) in nitrous oxide/oxygen (N2O/O2). Intubation following vecuronium and 4 minutes of controlled ventilation with 2 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) drug in O2; 1.5 MAC drug in N2O/O2 delivered for 20 minutes; then 0.75 MAC until the end of surgery. Fentanyl 1 mcg/kg was administered 15 minutes before the anticipated end of surgery, at which time anesthetics were stopped and mechanical ventilation continued until eye opening (emergence).


RESULTS
Blood pressure, heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation, end-tidal gas concentrations, and temperature were recorded. Induction and emergence times were measured to the nearest second. Induction (loss of eyelash reflex) was faster with sevoflurane (97 +/- 31 sec) than halothane (120 +/- 36 sec; p < 0.05), despite a lower inspired sevoflurane MAC. Emergence was faster with sevoflurane (9.9 +/- 2.9 min vs. 12.5 +/- 4.7 min; p < 0.05), despite a higher MAC multiple of end-tidal sevoflurane concentration at the end of surgery. Following intubation, HR (compared with the preinduction value in the operating room) was significantly higher in the halothane group (136.8% +/- 16.3% vs. 115.0% +/- 25.6%), as was mean arterial pressure (113.2% +/- 25.5% vs. 87.8% +/- 22.6%). This finding corresponded with a higher MAC multiple of end-tidal concentration in the sevoflurane group than in the halothane group.


CONCLUSIONS
Induction of and emergence from anesthesia was faster with sevoflurane than halothane. Airway complications were low in both groups. Vital signs were more stable with sevoflurane during induction through intubation, and were comparable during maintenance. Sevoflurane is an excellent drug for inhalational induction in pediatric patients.
Epstein
R H
RH
Department of Anesthesiology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
Mendel
H G
HG
Guarnieri
K M
KM
Staudt
S R
SR
Lessin
J B
JB
Marr
A T
AT
D000293:Adolescent; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004987:Ethers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006221:Halothane / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D013997:Time Factors
D004987:Ethers; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D006221:Halothane