Sevoflurane versus halothane: effect of oxycodone premedication on emergence behaviour in children

Clinical studies have provided conflicting conclusions about whether the frequency of emergence agitation is increased in children following sevoflurane anaesthesia. The purpose of the study was to determine a frequency and duration of agitation with halothane and sevoflurane anaesthesia and whether oxycodone premedication affected the incidence of emergence agitation in children.

We measured and compared halothane and sevoflurane recovery in 130 patients using a 5-point scale measuring emergence behaviour every 10 min during the first 60 min of recovery or until discharge.

We used this 5-point scale to assess the presence or absence of emergence agitation and found a frequency of emergence agitation of more than 40% in children who received halothane and sevoflurane anaesthesia.

Oxycodone reduced the frequency of agitation in children who received halothane, but not in the children who received sevoflurane anaesthesia.