Effects of sevoflurane anaesthesia on recovery in children: a comparison with halothane.
We prospectively studied one hundred ASA physical status I-II children, ages six months to six years, undergoing myringotomy surgery. Children were randomly assigned to one of four anaesthetic groups receiving either halothane or sevoflurane for anaesthesia and oral midazolam premedication or no premedication. We found that children anaesthetized with sevoflurane had significantly faster recovery times and discharge home times than those who received halothane. Patients given oral midazolam premedication had significantly longer recovery times, but no delay in discharge home compared with those not premedicated. However, children anaesthetized with sevoflurane and no premedication had an unacceptably high incidence (67%) of postoperative agitation. The use of oral midazolam preoperatively did decrease the amount of postoperative agitation seen with sevoflurane. We conclude that although sevoflurane does shorten recovery times, the degree of associated postoperative agitation makes it unacceptable as a sole anaesthetic for myringotomy surgery.
Department of Paediatric Anesthesia, Kosair Children's Hospital, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
S L
SL
Lapin
S M
SM
Auden
L J
LJ
Goldsmith
A M
AM
Reynolds
D000284:Administration, Oral; D017109:Akathisia, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006221:Halothane / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008738:Methyl Ethers / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008874:Midazolam / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010351:Patient Discharge; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011229:Preanesthetic Medication; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D013997:Time Factors; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000601:surgery
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D008874:Midazolam; D006221:Halothane