title: The efficacy of a subhypnotic dose of propofol in preventing laryngospasm following tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy in children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laryngospasm is a well-known problem typically occurring immediately following tracheal extubation. Propofol is known to inhibit airway reflexes. In this study, we sought to assess whether the empiric use of a subhypnotic dose of propofol prior to emergence will decrease the occurrence of laryngospasm following extubation in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  After approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee and informed parental consent, we enrolled 120 children ASA physical status I and II, aged 3-14 years who were scheduled to undergo elective tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy under standard general anesthesia. Before extubation, the patients were randomized and received in a blinded fashion either propofol 0.5 mg.kg(-1) or saline (control) intravenously. Tracheal extubation was performed 60 s after administration of study drug, when the child was breathing regularly and reacting to the tracheal tube.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Laryngospasm was seen in 20% (n = 12) of the 60 children in the control group and in only 6.6% (n = 4) of 60 children in the propofol group (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  During emergence from inhalational anesthesia, propofol in a subhypnotic dose (0.5 mg.kg(-1)) decreases the likelihood of laryngospasm upon tracheal extubation in children undergoing tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Al Sabah Hospital, Kuwait. ykbatra@glide.net.in
authors.forename: Yatindra Kumar
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Batra
authors.forename: Maya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ivanova
authors.forename: Syed Shujat
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shamsah
authors.forename: Abdul Raheem
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Al Qattan
authors.forename: Kumar G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Belani
mesh_terms: D000233:Adenoidectomy; D000293:Adolescent; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D020878:Device Removal; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D007826:Laryngismus / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015742:Propofol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014068:Tonsillectomy
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D015742:Propofol