Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Guidelines for Elective Pediatric Fiberoptic Intubation
Published on: January 17, 2011
Anaesthetic agents in paediatric day case surgery: do they affect outcome?
E W Moore1, B J Pollard, R E Elliott
1University of Liverpool, University Department of Anaesthesia, UK. e.w.m@17druids.freeserve.co.uk
Insights
Choosing the right anesthetic technique is crucial for minimizing postoperative complications in pediatric day case surgery. This review compares anesthetic agents to optimize patient outcomes and reduce side effects like nausea and delirium.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Day case surgery for children is increasing, necessitating optimized anesthetic and surgical care.
- Minimizing postoperative morbidity, such as delirium and nausea, is essential for the success of pediatric day surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of anesthetic techniques on postoperative outcomes in pediatric day case surgery.
- To compare various anesthetic agents and their effects on patient recovery and side effects.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of studies comparing different anesthetic techniques in pediatric day surgery.
- Analysis of outcomes including induction, cardiovascular effects, recovery, and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).
- Comparison of sevoflurane, halothane, propofol, desflurane, and nitrous oxide.
Main Results:
- Different anesthetic agents show varying effects on induction, cardiovascular stability, and recovery times.
- Sevoflurane and propofol generally demonstrate favorable outcomes compared to halothane in certain aspects.
- The use of nitrous oxide can influence postoperative nausea and vomiting incidence.
Conclusions:
- Anesthetic technique significantly impacts postoperative outcomes in pediatric day surgery.
- Careful selection of anesthetic agents can reduce morbidity and improve patient experience.
- Further research is needed to establish definitive best practices for anesthetic management in this population.
Abstract:
Both the numbers of children undergoing day case surgery and the type of procedures performed in this way are increasing. This expansion will only be beneficial if anaesthesia and surgery are provided with minimal post-operative morbidity e.g. postoperative delirium or nausea and vomiting. The choice of anaesthetic technique is considered critical to optimizing the service provided to patients and for this reason much research has addressed this question. This review considers the effect of anaesthetic technique on postoperative outcome in paediatric day case surgery. The outcome measures reviewed by this article are induction of anaesthesia, effects on the cardiovascular system, recovery from anaesthesia and postoperative nausea and vomiting. In each section both quantitative and qualitative outcome measures are discussed. Comparisons are made between sevoflurane and halothane, sevoflurane and propofol, propofol and halothane, desflurane and halothane and the presence or absence of nitrous oxide.
Related Concept Videos
Local Anesthetics: Pharmacokinetics
Local Anesthetics: Common Agents and Their Applications
Cocaine is an ester of benzoic acid and methylecgogine. It is used to anesthetize and vasoconstrict locally. Currently, it is used primarily for topical applications. It is beneficial for surgeries on the upper respiratory tract, providing anesthesia and shrinking the mucosa. Cocaine in the form of cocaine hydrochloride is...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia
General Anesthesia: Overview
General anesthesia induces unconsciousness in the whole body, while the others target specific areas or sensations. It is administered to minimize adverse effects, maintain...
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview
Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview

