Propofol reduces emesis after sufentanil supplemented anaesthesia in paediatric squint surgery.
BACKGROUND
Squint surgery is associated with a high incidence of postoperative emesis. The purpose of this prospective study was to examine the influence of propofol and isoflurane anaesthesia on the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting in children.


METHODS
Ninety children aged 3-10 years were randomly allocated to one of 3 groups. In all groups, children received 2 mg/kg propofol, 0.5 microgram/kg sufentanil and 0.5 mg/kg atracurium for induction of anaesthesia. In group 1, anaesthesia was maintained with 15-20 mg/kg.h propofol and children were ventilated with 30% O2 in air. In group 2, anaesthesia was maintained with 10-15 mg/kg.h propofol and 30% O2 in N2O. In group 3, anaesthesia was maintained with 1.0-1.5 Vol% isoflurane and 30% O2 in N2O. The time of extubation, awakening and postoperative surveillance, the incidence and numbers of episodes of postoperative nausea and vomiting were registered as well as requirements of antiemetics. Statistics were made using ANOVA and Chi-square test or Kruskal-Wallis test with P < 0.05 considered as significant.


RESULTS
The overall incidence of nausea (P = 0.0001) and vomiting (P = 0.002) was higher in group 3 (70%;73%) than in group 1 (13%;23%) and 2 (20%;28%). Episodes of nausea (P = 0.0001) and vomiting (P = 0.0013) were more frequent in group 3 (74%;69%) than in group 1 (13%;15%) and 2 (13%;16%). Antiemetic requirements were higher and the time of postoperative sleep and surveillance was longer in group 3 than in group 1 and 2 (P = 0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
Propofol-sufentanil anaesthesia results in less emesis and treatment during the early postoperative phase irrespective of N2O administration compared with propofol-induced isoflurane anaesthesia and may be recommended in children undergoing squint surgery.
Standl
T
T
Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital Eppenforf, Hamburg, Germany.
Wilhelm
S
S
von Knobelsdorff
G
G
Schulte am Esch
J
J
D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects; D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001279:Atracurium; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007530:Isoflurane; D008297:Male; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D003473:Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D015742:Propofol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013285:Strabismus / Q000601:surgery*; D017409:Sufentanil / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced*
D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D003473:Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents; D001279:Atracurium; D017409:Sufentanil; D007530:Isoflurane; D015742:Propofol