The management of severe emergence agitation using droperidol

Emergence agitation can occur following recovery from general anaesthesia. The patient may exhibit aggressive behaviour, disorientation, agitation and restlessness. Untreated, this complication may result in significant morbidity. We report two cases where droperidol was successfully used in the management of severe emergence agitation. In the first case, droperidol was administered to prevent the occurrence of postoperative agitation in a patient known to suffer from this condition following previous general anaesthetics. In the second case, droperidol was used to treat emergence agitation in a morbidly obese patient with a difficult airway who was aggressive and difficult to restrain. Both of these patients remained calm and co-operative, with stable cardio-respiratory parameters, following the administration of droperidol and showed no further signs of agitation. We suggest that droperidol is an effective medication that may be used to prevent and treat severe emergence agitation due to its rapid sedative effect and minimal cardio-respiratory depression.