A comparison of the induction characteristics of sevoflurane and halothane in children.
The induction characteristics of sevoflurane and halothane were compared in 81 children aged 6 months to 6 years. The mean time taken to achieve loss of eyelash reflex was significantly shorter with sevoflurane than with halothane (sevoflurane, mean time (SD) 1 min 41 s (35 s), halothane, mean time (SD) 2 min 17 s (43 s), t = 4.11, p = < 0.01). The mean time taken to complete induction (to achieve steady spontaneous ventilation and small pupils with central gaze) was also shorter in children induced with sevoflurane (sevoflurane, mean time (SD) 3 min 58 s (1 min 8 s), halothane, mean time (SD) 4 min 50 s, (1 min 27 s), t = 2.29, p = 0.027). Effects on heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation during induction were similar for both agents. There were no major complications during induction with either halothane or sevoflurane.
Black
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A
Department of Anaesthesia, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London.
Sury
M R
MR
Hemington
L
L
Howard
R
R
Mackersie
A
A
Hatch
D J
DJ
D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation / Q000379:methods; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003243:Consciousness / Q000187:drug effects; D004987:Ethers; D005260:Female; D006221:Halothane; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D013997:Time Factors
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D004987:Ethers; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D010100:Oxygen; D006221:Halothane