A comparison of thiopentone-isoflurane anaesthesia vs propofol infusion in children having repeat minor haematological procedures.
We have performed a randomized, cross over study in 22 children suffering from acute leukaemia, who underwent repeated anaesthesia for bone marrow aspiration and lumbar puncture. For their first anaesthetic, the children (aged 3-10 years old) received, either a thiopentone/isoflurane anaesthetic or intravenous propofol, both supplemented with nitrous oxide. On a second occasion they received the alternative technique. Of those children receiving thiopentone/isoflurane, 32% had significant coughing during anaesthesia, two progressing to laryngospasm requiring 100% oxygen. None of the patients receiving propofol had a respiratory disturbance (P = 0.016). 68% of the children preferred the propofol anaesthetic. Only one child in the thiopentone/isoflurane group preferred this technique. Twenty-seven per cent had no preference. There was no significant difference in length of anaesthetic time (P = 0.07) or the time taken for recovery (P = 0.17) between the two groups. There was a large individual variation in propofol requirements and movement was common during stimulation of patients in this group, though this did not adversely affect the surgical procedure.
Harling
D W
DW
Sheffield Children's Hospital, Western Bank, UK.
Harrison
D A
DA
Dorman
T
T
Barker
I
I
D000208:Acute Disease; D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003371:Cough / Q000139:chemically induced; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D006801:Humans; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D007826:Laryngismus / Q000139:chemically induced; D007938:Leukemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D015742:Propofol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D013129:Spinal Puncture; D013874:Thiopental / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D007530:Isoflurane; D013874:Thiopental; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D015742:Propofol