title: Quality control of sedation for diagnostic radiological procedures in paediatric patients (waiting for guidelines).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The number of children requiring sedation for radiological procedures is increasing. Anaesthesiologists are increasingly involved in giving sedation or general anaesthesia in the rooms of the Radiology Department. This activity is not easy, and can be dangerous. The procedure is often performed on an ambulatory basis, so the child must be alert and discharged rapidly after the procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed the medical charts of 488 patients in order to evaluate the incidence of complications during deep sedation for diagnostic radiological procedures. The patients were sedated with intravenous thiopental or propofol, or with oral chloral hydrate. All the patients were breathing spontaneously and received only supplemental O(2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found only a few cases of complications, immediately treated without any recourse to tracheal intubation: respiratory failure with arterial desaturation to 94%, regurgitation, vomiting and persistent cough.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On the basis of our experience, we believe that deep sedation with endovenous drugs guarantees safety and rapid discharge after the procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Anesthesiology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy. bajo@greemail.it
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baiocchi
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rinaldi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zanette
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zadra
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Meneghini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Metrangolo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giusti
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Giron
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016292:Procedural Sedation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011786:Quality Control; D011859:Radiography / Q000379:methods*