Sevoflurane-based General Anesthesia Research Articles

Effects of propofol versus sevoflurane on surgical field visibility during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: a randomized trial

BackgroundDuring arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR), clear surgical field visibility (SFV) is the basis of successful surgery, but the choice of anesthesia maintenance drugs may have different effects on SFV. In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of propofol- and sevoflurane-based general anesthesia on SFV in patients undergoing ARCR.MethodsPatients (n = 130) undergoing elective ARCR in the lateral decubitus position were randomized into either the propofol group or sevoflurane group (65 per group). The duration of surgery and increased pressure irrigation (IPI), Boezaart score, rocuronium consumption and usage of remifentanil were recorded. The time of both spontaneous respiration recovery and extubation and the incidences of postoperative nausea and vomiting and agitation were also recorded.ResultsThe Boezaart score, duration of IPI and ratio of the duration of IPI to the duration of surgery (IPI/S ratio) were similar between the groups (P > 0.05). Rocuronium consumption, number of patients requiring remifentanil infusion and total remifentanil consumption were significantly lower in the sevoflurane group (P < 0.05). The spontaneous respiration recovery time was significantly longer in the propofol group (P < 0.05), but there were no differences in the extubation time between the groups(P > 0.05).ConclusionsCompared with propofol, sevoflurane provides equally clear SFV while improving the convenience of anesthesia maintenance in ARCR patients with interscalene plexus (ISB) combined with general anesthesia.Trial registrationThis single-center, prospective, RCT was retrospective registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry with the registration number ChiCTR2300072110 (02/06/2023).

The Effects of Intraoperative Remifentanil Infusion on Postoperative Opioid Consumption in Patients Who Underwent Total Knee Arthroplasty with Femoral Nerve Block.

(1) Background: Remifentanil is used for intraoperative pain control; however, it has several side effects, such as hypotension and opioid-induced hyperalgesia. We aimed to determine whether an intraoperative remifentanil infusion may increase postoperative opioid consumption in patients undergoing total knee arthroscopy (TKA) under femoral nerve block (FNB) in addition to general anesthesia. (2) Methods: We randomly assigned 66 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty to the remifentanil (R) and control (C) groups. All patients underwent FNB and popliteal artery and posterior capsule of the knee (iPACK) block in addition to sevoflurane-based general anesthesia. Postoperative pain control was achieved using intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) fentanyl. We recorded IV-PCA fentanyl consumption at various postoperative timepoints, numerical rating scale (NRS) scores, intraoperative changes in vital signs and index of nociception (qNOX), ephedrine consumption, postoperative side effects, satisfaction, and sleep quality. (3) Results: The primary outcome (the cumulative IV-PCA fentanyl usage within 48 h postoperatively) was significantly lower in the C group (541.1 ± 294.5 µg) than in the R group (717.5 ± 224.0 µg) (p < 0.001). The secondary outcome (the cumulative IV-PCA fentanyl usage within 12, 24, and 72 h) was lower in the C group than in the R group and the mean arterial pressure was lower in the R group than in the C group from immediately after tourniquet on to immediately after tourniquet off. The heart rate was lower in the R group from immediately after incision to immediately after irrigation. There was no significant between-group difference in the perioperative qNOX and NRS scores at rest and activity except for NRS scores at 72 h postoperatively. Ephedrine use was higher in the R group than in the C group (p = 0.003). There was no significant between-group difference in the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, nor in the postoperative satisfaction and sleep quality. (4) Conclusions: Avoiding intraoperative remifentanil infusion may reduce total opioid consumption in patients undergoing FNB before TKA.

Evaluation and correlation of nociceptive response index and spectral entropy indices as monitors of nociception in anesthetized patients.

During anesthesia, the response to these stimuli depends on the balance between nociception and antinociception. Recently, various monitoring systems based on the variables derived from electroencephalography, plethysmography, autonomic tone, reflex pathways, and composite algorithms have been introduced for monitoring nociception. The main aim of our study was to evaluate and correlate the physiological variables which reflect the autonomic nervous system response to nociception, such as heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), perfusion index (PI), and nociceptive response index (NRI), with the spectral entropy indices response entropy (RE) and RE-state entropy (SE), which reflects electromyographic (EMG) activation as a response to pain. This is a retrospective analysis of the data from a prospective study on the hypnotic and analgesic effects and the recovery profile of sevoflurane-based general anesthesia. Eighty-six patients undergoing single-agent sevoflurane anesthesia were recruited in the study. The study parameters, HR, SBP, SE, RE, RE-SE, PI, and NRI, were recorded at predefined time points before and after a standardized noxious stimulus. Correlation between the variables was carried out by applying the Pearson correlation equation for normal and the Spearman correlation equation for non-normally distributed data. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) graphs were plotted, and the area under the curve was calculated to assess the diagnostic accuracy of post-stimulus NRI in detecting pain which was defined as RE-SE >10. There was a significant increase in the SBP, HR, NRI, RE, SE, and RE-SE and a considerable decrease in PI values during the post-noxious period compared to the pre-noxious period. There was no correlation between the absolute values of NRI and entropy indices at T2. However, among the reaction values, there was a weak correlation between the reaction values of NRI and RE (r = 0.30; P = 0.05). The area under the ROC curve for NRI to detect pain as defined by RE-SE >10 was 0.56. During sevoflurane anesthesia, the application of noxious stimulus causes significant changes in variables reflecting sympathetic response and EMG activity. However, NRI failed to detect nociception, and there was only a weak correlation between the reaction values of NRI and RE-SE.

Long-term sevoflurane exposure resulted in temporary rather than lasting cognitive impairment in Drosophila

Sevoflurane is the primary inhaled anesthetic used in pediatric surgery. It has been the focus of research since animal models studies found that it was neurotoxic to the developing brain two decades ago. However, whether pediatric general anesthesia can lead to permanent cognitive deficits remained a subject of heated debate. Therefore, our study aims to determine the lifetime neurotoxicity of early long-time sevoflurane exposure using a short-life-cycle animal model, Drosophila melanogaster. To investigate this question, we measured the lifetime changes of two-day-old flies' learning and memory abilities after anesthesia with 3 % sevoflurane for 6 h by the T-maze memory assay. We evaluated the apoptosis, levels of ATP and ROS, and related genes in the fly head. Our results suggest that 6 h 3 % sevoflurane exposure at a young age can only induce transient neuroapoptosis and cognitive deficits around the first week after anesthesia. But this brain damage recedes with time and vanishes in late life. We also found that the mRNA level of caspases and Bcl-2, ROS level, and ATP level increased during this temporary neuroapoptosis process. And mRNA levels of antioxidants, such as SOD2 and CAT, increased and decreased simultaneously with the rise and fall of the ROS level, indicating a possible contribution to the recovery from the sevoflurane impairment. In conclusion, our results suggest that one early prolonged sevoflurane-based general anesthesia can induce neuroapoptosis and learning and memory deficit transiently but not permanently in Drosophila.

Contrast of Laryngeal Mask Airway Versus Endotracheal Tube for Early Postoperative Recovery Following Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Aim: To assess the difference between laryngeal mask airway versus endotracheal tube for early postoperative recovery following laparoscopic cholecystectomy Study design: A randomized controlled trial Place and Duration: This study was conducted in Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College Karachi from June 2020 to June 2021 Methodology: Overall, 60 individuals were assigned to airway management utilizing either the laryngeal mask airway(LMA) group or endotracheal tube (ETT) group. All the patients went under sevoflurane-based general anesthesia and all of them had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Three things were recorded before and after carbo peritoneum that was blood pressure, heart rate and peak airway pressure. The first hour after surgery and the first postoperative day were used to assess postoperative pain and analgesic needs, as well as hoarseness, nausea, sore throat, and dysphonia. Results: Two attempts were made to have a successful Laryngeal mask airway or endotracheal tube placement. During carbo peritoneum, both of the groups, LMA and ETT had similar highest average peak airway pressure (LMA: 17.8 [2.9], ETT: 18.2 [4.1], with a p-value of 0.159). The incidence of bradycardia and elevated systolic blood pressure was higher in the LMA group. The LMA group had lower pain scores one hour postoperatively and on a postoperative day 1 than the ETT group (LMA: 3.9 [2.0], ETT: 5.4 [2.3], with a p-value of 0.017 and LMA: 5.6 [1.9], ETT: 6.7 [1.7], with a p-value of 0.042). Both the groups had the same analgesic requirements. Until postoperative day 1, the LMA group had a lower incidence of nausea than the ETT group (LMA: 4/28 [14%], ETT: 12/28 [43%], with a p-value of 0.032). Conclusion: The Laryngeal Mask Airway Protector proved to be a successful ventilator device which showed lesser intraoperative hemodynamic stress responses. It also enhanced the early recovery standard following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Keywords: Endotracheal tube, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, Laryngeal mask airway

The Effect of Propofol versus Sevoflurane on Postoperative Delirium in Parkinson's Disease Patients Undergoing Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery: An Observational Study.

Background: The selection of the maintenance of general anesthesia may affect the development of postoperative delirium (POD), notably for Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients, due to their lower cognitive reserve. The present study was designed to compare the potential impact of propofol vs. sevoflurane based general anesthesia maintenance methods on the development of POD in PD patients following deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. Methods: A total of 125 PD patients who were scheduled to undergo DBS surgery were randomly divided into the propofol (n = 63) and the sevoflurane groups (n = 62). The patients in the two groups randomly received propofol- or sevoflurane-based general anesthesia. The Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) was employed by an investigator who was blinded to the anesthesia regimen and was administered twice per day from postoperative day 1 until discharge. Results: The incidence of POD was 22.22% (14/63) with propofol anesthesia and 20.97% (13/62) with sevoflurane anesthesia (p = 0.865). In addition, no difference was noted in the duration and severity of delirium between the propofol and sevoflurane groups. Conclusions: In the present study, propofol- and sevoflurane-based general anesthesia exhibited comparable results with regard to the POD incidence in PD patients undergoing deep brain stimulation surgery.

Anesthesia With Propofol Sedation Reduces Locoregional Recurrence in Patients With Breast Cancer Receiving Total Mastectomy Compared With Non-Propofol Anesthesia.

PurposeWe examined locoregional recurrence (LRR) in patients with breast invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) receiving total mastectomy (TM) under propofol-based paravertebral block-regional anesthesia (PB-RA) versus sevoflurane-based inhalational general anesthesia (INHA-GA) without propofol. All-cause death and distant metastasis were secondary endpoints.Patients and MethodsPatients with breast IDC receiving TM were recruited through propensity score matching and categorized into INHA-GA with sevoflurane and PB-RA with propofol groups. Cox regression analysis was performed to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsIn the multivariate Cox regression analysis, the adjusted HR (aHR; 95% CI) of LRR for the PB-RA with propofol group was 0.52 (0.28–0.96) compared with the INHA-GA with sevoflurane group. The aHRs of LRR for differentiation grade II, grade III, the American Joint Committee on Cancer clinical stage II, stage III, pathological tumor (pT) stage 2, pT stage 3–4, pathological nodal (pN) stage 1, and pN stage 2–3 were 1.16 (1.04–2.08), 1.28 (1.07–2.12), 3.71 (1.82–7.59), 4.67 (1.65–13.18), 1.09 (1.02–1.21), 1.17 (1.03–2.16), 1.10 (1.03–1.33), and 1.22 (1.06–2.41), respectively, compared with differentiation grade I, clinical stage I, pT1, and pN0. The aHR of LRR for adjuvant RT was 0.88 (0.64–0.94) compared with that for no adjuvant RT.ConclusionPB-RA with propofol might be beneficial for reducing LRR in women with breast IDC receiving TM compared with INHA-GA without propofol.

Mechanisms of formation of brain bioelectrical activity suppression patterns under adverse effects caused by neurotoxicants

The aim of the stady wos to investigate the mechanisms of suppression of cerebral bioelectrical activity under adverse effects caused by neurotoxicants using inhalation anesthesia with sevoflurane. The research included 19 cases (male/female 12/7, aged 19—55, BMIs under 35) with intracerebral tumors. Patients were under medical observation and neurosurgical treatment. Invasive procedures were carried out under sevoflurane-based general anesthesia with a dose of anesthetic varying from 0,8 to 1,3 MAC (minimum alveolar concentration). Technologically advanced neurosurgical procedures involved neurophysiological polymodal monitoring, which included EEG and ECoG testing. Probit analysis results showed that, with cerebral cortex bioelectrical activity suppression index equal to 32±8%, nearly half the cases displayed a formation of an «outburst-suppression» type of pattern on the scalp EEG. The condition for half the cases displaying a formation of this type of periodic pattern is the suppression index equaling 58±7% on ECoG. Space-and-time evolution of suppression patterns, formed on the cerebral cortex, is the main reason for persistence of uninterrupted activity on EEG. The obtained results allow to further define principles of neurodynamics, which apply to acute intoxication with neurotoxicants. With regard to relative similarity of intoxication-induced coma cases, registration of periodic EEG patterns even with a low suppression index indicates a more severe form of cerebral insufficiency.

Postoperative Vomiting Following Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Is Associated with Intraoperative Fluid Administration: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Potential risk factors for postoperative vomiting (POV) are important for daily anesthesia practice. To identify the risk factors associated with POV we retrospectively reviewed 553 adult patients who underwent scheduled simple laparoscopic cholecystectomy under sevoflurane-based general anesthesia between January and December 2018. Patients who experienced POV were predominantly women, had lower body weight, and higher ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) physical status. The POV group showed female sex predominance, lower body weight, and higher ASA physical status, with a significant difference when compared with the non-POV group. In univariate analysis, female sex and Apfel scores of 2, 3, and 4 were associated with a higher POV incidence. Age > 70 years, higher body weight, and ASA physical status III were associated with a lower POV incidence. In multivariate logistic regression, sex, age, Apfel score, and intraoperative crystalloid infusion rate were POV predictive factors. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed a negative association between the intraoperative crystalloid infusion rate and POV occurrence with an area under the curve of 0.73 (p = 0.001). The cutoff intraoperative crystalloid infusion rate was 2 mL/kg/h with 82% sensitivity and 49% specificity (≥2 mL/kg/h was associated with a lower POV incidence vs. <2 mL/kg/h (OR, 95% CI; 0.52 [0.33–0.83])). To decrease POV in these patients, identifying high-risk factors and an intraoperative crystalloid administration of ≥2 mL/kg/h should be considered in patients undergoing LC under sevoflurane-based general anesthesia.

The effect of sevoflurane anesthesia for dental procedure on neurocognition in children: a prospective, equivalence, controlled trial

BackgroundDental procedures under general anesthesia (DGA) was found to improve the oral health-related quality of children’s life. However, some parents and pediatricians expressed concern about the neurotoxicity of general anesthesia. The purpose of this trial was to whether DGA in children has an adverse effect on neurocognition.MethodsIn this prospective, assessor-masked, controlled, equivalence trial, we recruited 340 children younger than 7 years who were undergoing caries treatment between Feb 1, 2019, and Aug 31, 2019, without factors affecting neurodevelopment. They received either sevoflurane-based general anesthesia or awake-local anesthesia. The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Fourth Edition was used to evaluate the neurocognitive function of children at 6 months after surgery, and the Full-Scale IQ (FSIQ) was selected as the primary outcome. The predefined clinical equivalence margin was 5 (1/3 SD of FSIQ score). If the 95% CI of the difference between the average FSIQ score of the two groups is within − 5 to + 5, then the two groups are equivalent.ResultsThe outcome data were obtained from 129 children in the general anesthesia group and 144 in the local anesthesia group. The median length of general anesthesia was 130 min (IQR 110–160). The mean FSIQ score in the general anesthesia group was 103·12 (SD 8.94), and the mean of the local anesthesia group was 103·58 (SD 8.40). There was equivalence in means of FSIQ score between the two groups (local minus general anesthesia 0.46, 95% CI − 2.35 to 1.61). There was no significant difference in FSIQ scores between different age groups and different anesthesia durations. Only the mother’s education could affect the primary outcome.ConclusionsIn this trial, prolonged DGA with a sevoflurane-only anesthetic in preschool children, does not adversely affect neurocognitive function at 6 months after surgery compared with awake-local anesthesia.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1800015216. Registered Mar 15 2018.

Prediction of Postoperative Pain and Opioid Consumption Using Intraoperative Surgical Pleth Index After Surgical Incision: An Observational Study.

BackgroundWe evaluated whether the surgical pleth index (SPI) following surgical incision was related to postoperative pain and opioid consumption.MethodsThis prospective observational study was performed in 50 patients undergoing laparotomy under sevoflurane-based general anesthesia. We recorded the highest SPI during surgical incision. The postoperative pain with a numerical rating scale (NRS) and opioid consumption during postoperative 24 h were compared in patients who showed SPI over 50 (Group H) or 20–50 (Group L). The relationship between postoperative opioid consumption and SPI values (pre-incision, post-incision SPI value, change of SPI value, and post-incision SPI minus pre-incision SPI) was evaluated using receiver-operating characteristic analysis.ResultsThe mean of the highest SPI value during surgical incision was 56 (SD, 12; range, 26–85). Twenty-nine (63%) patients were included in Group H and 17 (37%) patients in Group L. There was a significant difference in NRS during recovery room stay and on postoperative 24 h in two groups (5 [5, 6] vs 7 [6, 8], p=0.007 and 3.5 [3, 5] vs 5 [5,6], p=0.006, Group L vs Group H). Group H used higher fentanyl via patient control analgesia during postoperative 24 h (573 (253) µg vs 817 (305) µg, p=0.008). A change of pre-incision and post-incision SPI value of 23, which showed the highest sensitivity (67%) and specificity (68%), was defined post hoc as the cut-off for fentanyl consumption during postoperative 24 h ≥1000 µg.ConclusionOur finding suggests that the SPI response to nociceptive stimuli during surgery is closely related to the degree of patient postoperative pain and opioid requirements. This information may be used to provide proper intraoperative analgesia and individual postoperative pain management.

Perioperative Dexmedetomidine Supplement Decreases Delirium Incidence After Adult Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Study

Conflicting data exist on the effect of dexmedetomidine on delirium. For the present study, a randomized trial was performed to investigate the effect of perioperative dexmedetomidine on the rate of postoperative delirium after cardiac surgery. A randomized controlled trial. University hospital. Patients (n = 169) undergoing elective cardiac surgery (coronary artery bypass graft surgery, valve surgery, or combined surgery) with cardiopulmonary bypass. Patients received a sevoflurane-based general anesthesia and were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive a dexmedetomidine infusion that started in the operating room (0.7 μg/kg/h) and continued into the intensive care unit (0.4 μg/kg/h) or an equivolume infusion of placebo. A decrease in the rate of delirium in the dexmedetomidine group compared with the placebo group was demonstrated (6 of 84 [7.1%] v 16 of 85 [18.8%]; p = 0.02; odds ratio [OR] 0.33 [95% confidence interval {CI} 0.12-0.90]). Reduced intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay also were observed (18 [18-22] hours v 22 [18-39] hours; p = 0.002 and 17 [7-20] days v 19 [8-21] days; p = 0.04, respectively). Mortality at 30 days was 2 (2.4%) in both groups. On multivariate analysis, only dexmedetomidine administration (OR 0.24 [95% CI 0.08-0.74]) and cardiopulmonary bypass time (OR 1.02 [95% CI 1.01-1.03] for increases of 1 min) were independent predictors of delirium development. Dexmedetomidine administered during and after general anesthesia for cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass decreased the rate of postoperative delirium and intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay.

Comparison of End-Tidal Anesthetic Gas Concentration versus Bispectral Index-Guided Protocol as Directing Tool on Time to Tracheal Extubation for Sevoflurane-Based General Anesthesia.

Background:Modalities for titrating anesthetic drug-like bispectral index (BIS) and end-tidal anesthetic gas (ETAG) concentration in predicting early extubation had been studied with old anesthetic agents such as isoflurane.Aim:The aim of this study is to compare the effect of ETAG concentration versus BIS-guided protocol as directing tool on time to tracheal extubation for sevoflurane-based general anesthesia.Materials and Methods:This prospective, randomized, double-blind trial studied sixty patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classes I and II who received sevoflurane-based general anesthesia and were allocated to either BIS–guided anesthesia group (n = 30) or ETAG–guided anesthesia group (n = 30). Time to tracheal extubation was measured. BIS value was kept between 40 and 60 in BIS group, whereas minimum alveolar concentration value was kept between 0.7 and 1.3 in ETAG group. The two groups were compared using Student's t-test, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The statistical analysis was performed using the open source “R” programming language.Results:Mean time to tracheal extubation was significantly shorter in BIS group (308.77 ± 20.48 s) as compared to ETAG group (377.90 ± 25.06 s) (P < 0.001). The sevoflurane concentration used was also significantly less in group BIS than group ETAG at multiple time intervals (P = 0.001).Conclusion:Prediction of extubation was significantly early with BIS monitoring as compared to ETAG monitoring in sevoflurane-based general anesthesia.

Comparison of early postoperative recovery between laryngeal mask airway and endotracheal tube in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A randomized trial.

Background:Laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion provokes fewer stress responses than endotracheal intubation. This study aimed to evaluate the LMA Protector for assessing improvements in intraoperative hemodynamic stability and to reduce postoperative discomfort compared with endotracheal intubation in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Methods:Fifty-six patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy while under sevoflurane-based general anesthesia were randomly allocated to airway management using LMA (LMA group) or endotracheal tube (ETT group). Heart rate, blood pressure, and peak airway pressure were recorded before and after carboperitoneum. Postoperative pain and analgesic requirements were assessed, in addition to nausea, hoarseness, dysphonia, and sore throat during the first 1 hour postoperatively and until postoperative day 1.Results:All patients underwent successful LMA or ETT placement within 2 attempts. There was no difference in highest mean (SD) peak airway pressure during carboperitoneum between the LMA and ETT groups (17.7 [2.8] mm Hg vs 19.1 [3.8] mm Hg, P = .159, respectively). The incidence of high systolic blood pressure and bradycardia was higher in the LMA group. The highest pain scores 1 hour postoperatively and on postoperative day 1 were lower in the LMA group than in the ETT group (3.9 [2.0] vs 5.4 [2.3], P = .017 and 5.6 [1.9] vs 6.7 [1.7], P = .042, respectively); requirements for analgesics were similar in the 2 groups. The incidence of nausea was lower in the LMA group than in the ETT group until postoperative day 1 (4/28 [14%] vs 12/28 [43%], P = .031, respectively).Conclusion:The LMA Protector was an effective ventilator device associated with fewer intraoperative hemodynamic stress responses and improved the quality of early recovery after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Effects of dexmedetomidine on emergence delirium in pediatric cardiac surgery.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine on emergence delirium (ED) in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Fifty children of both sexes aged 1-6 years weighing 10-25 kilograms, with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status grade II, undergoing sevoflurane-based general anesthesia for elective cardiac surgery, were randomly assigned to two groups. The dexmedetomidine group (group D, N.=25) received 0.5 µg/kg of dexmedetomidine over 10 minutes, followed by an infusion at 0.5 µg/kg/h until the end of the surgery, whereas the saline group (group S, N.=25) received volume-matched normal saline immediately after the induction of anesthesia. Blood samples were taken preoperatively (T0), at different time points during surgery (T1-T5), and during the postoperative period (T6-T7) to determine serum melatonin, cortisol, norepinephrine, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and blood glucose levels. In the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU), the incidence of ED was assessed with a 5-point scale, and the severity of ED was assessed with the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium scale (PAED) every two hours for the first 24 hours after surgery. ED was considered when the 5-point scale score was ≥4 for more than 5 minutes, or the PAED score was ≥10. Based on comparable demographic profiles, the scores of the 5-point scale and PAED Scale were significantly lower in group D compared with group S (P=0.028 and P=0.009, respectively). In addition, the fluctuation in the level of melatonin was significantly less in group D. Serum cortisol, norepinephrine, IL-6, TNF-α and glucose levels were increased in the two groups, but these increases were significantly less in group D than in group S. The consumption of sevoflurane during anesthesia was significantly less in group D (P=0.0002). The postoperative consumption of fentanyl was less in group D (P=0.04), whereas the pain scores were not significantly different (P=0.502). Extubation time was significantly delayed in group D compared with group S (P=0.032), whereas CICU and hospital stay were comparable between the two groups. Continuous intraoperative infusions of dexmedetomidine in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery reduce sevoflurane requirements and decrease the incidence of ED, which is associated with decreasing plasma melatonin levels and surgical stress.

Emergence agitation prevention in paediatric ambulatory surgery: A comparison between intranasal Dexmedetomidine and Clonidine.

Objective:Emergence agitation (EA), a short-lived, self-limiting phenomenon, arises frequently after the use of inhalational agents and hampers the implementation of pediatric ambulatory surgery in spite of using so many drugs with variable efficacy.Methods:In this prospective, double-blinded, parallel group study (2008–2009), 80 children of both sex aged 3–7 years, with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status grade I-II, undergoing sevoflurane-based general anesthesia for elective day care surgery were randomly assigned into groups C or D. Group C received 4 μg/kg intranasal clonidine, whereas group D received 1 μg/kg intranasal dexmedetomidine, 45 min before induction of anesthesia. In postanesthesia care unit (PACU), the incidence of EA was assessed with Aonos four-point scale and the severity of EA was assessed with pediatric anesthesia emergence delirium scale upon admission (T0), after 5 min (T5), 15 min (T15), and 25 min (T25). Extubation time, emergence time, duration of PACU stay, dose and incidence of fentanyl use for pain control were noted.Findings:Based on comparable demographic profiles, the incidence and severity of EA were significantly lower in group D as compared to group C at T0, T5, T15, and T25. But time of regular breathing, awakening, extubation, and emergence were significantly delayed in group D than C. The number and dose of fentanyl used in group C were significantly higher than group D. PACU and hospital stay were quite comparable between groups.Conclusion:Intranasal dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg was more effective than clonidine 4 μg/kg in decreasing the incidence and severity of EA, when administered 45 min before the induction of anesthesia with sevoflurane for pediatric day care surgery. Dexmedetomidine also significantly reduced fentanyl consumption in PACU.

Prognostic study of sevoflurane-based general anesthesia on cognitive function in children

It is unclear whether volatile general anesthetics have sustained adverse effects on the immature brains of children. We performed a self-controlled study to evaluate the effects of strabismus surgery under sevoflurane-based general anesthesia on the cognitive function of pediatric patients. The study included 100 children of ages 4 to 7 years old scheduled to undergo strabismus correction under sevoflurane-based general anesthesia. Cognitive function was tested 1 day before the operation (T1), 1 month after the operation (T2), and 6 months after the operation by the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) (Third Edition) method, which consists of 150 items. The scores at T1 were compared with scores at T2 and T3. Seventy-two children completed the three tests. At T1, they were 66.1 ± 7.7 months old and had a mean body weight of 21.6 ± 4.0 kg. The mean anesthesia time was 67.3 ± 9.8 min. The mean interval between T1 and T2 was 25.4 ± 6.8 days, and that between T1 and T3 was 182.1 ± 27.7 days. No statistically significant decrease in WPPSI scores was observed between T1 and T2, or between T1 and T3. These findings from our self-controlled study show that sevoflurane-based general anesthesia does not have significantly adverse effects on the cognitive function of 4- to 7-year-old children at 1 month and 6 months after strabismus surgery. Additional studies with a larger sample size are needed.

Sevoflurane anesthesia attenuates adenosine diphosphate-induced P-selectin expression and platelet-leukocyte conjugate formation.

The expression of P-selectin on the surface of platelets and platelet-leukocyte conjugate formation are considered to be an indicator of platelet activation and are important in thrombotic and inflammatory disease. Previous studies have reported the inhibitory effects of sevoflurane on platelet aggregation. We investigated whether sevoflurane alters the expression of P-selectin on platelets and the formation of platelet-leukocyte conjugates. Twenty-five patients undergoing minor extremity surgery received sevoflurane-based general anesthesia, with mask induction and laryngeal mask airway anesthesia maintenance. Whole blood was obtained before and 40 min after sevoflurane anesthesia. Unstimulated and adenosine diphosphate-stimulated samples of whole blood and platelet rich plasma were stained with fluorochrome-conjugated antibodies. The expression of P-selectin on platelets and the formation of platelet-leukocyte conjugates were measured using flow cytometry. Sevoflurane inhibited platelet P-selectin expression. It also reduced the formation of platelet-leukocyte conjugates, both in unstimulated and adenosine diphosphate-stimulated blood samples at 3%-4% end-expiratory sevoflurane concentrations used to maintain anesthesia.