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Should sevoflurane be used for maintenance of anaesthesia in children?

Adam Duffen1, Andrew Williams

  • 1Department of Anaesthesia, Ealing Hospital, London. adamduffen@yahoo.co.uk

British Journal of Hospital Medicine (London, England : 2005)
|November 2, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Sevoflurane offers rapid inhalational anesthesia induction but poses a risk of emergence delirium in children. This condition involves disorientation and hyperactivity, potentially causing harm and delaying recovery.

Area of Science:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Pediatric Medicine

Background:

  • Sevoflurane is favored for inhalational anesthesia induction due to its pleasant odor and rapid onset.
  • Concerns exist regarding sevoflurane's use for maintaining anesthesia in pediatric patients because of emergence delirium.
  • Emergence delirium is characterized by disorientation, perceptual alterations, and hyperactive behavior post-anesthesia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the risks and implications of emergence delirium in children.
  • To analyze the incidence and consequences of emergence delirium following sevoflurane anesthesia.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review on sevoflurane use in pediatric anesthesia.
  • Analysis of studies defining and reporting emergence delirium incidence.
  • Review of documented complications associated with emergence delirium.

Main Results:

  • Emergence delirium incidence ranges from 10% to 80% in pediatric patients.
  • This condition can lead to self-injury or harm to caregivers.
  • Delayed recovery and dislodged medical devices are common consequences.

Conclusions:

  • The risk of emergence delirium necessitates careful consideration when using sevoflurane for pediatric anesthesia maintenance.
  • Understanding and managing emergence delirium is crucial for patient safety and efficient recovery.
  • Further research may be needed to mitigate the incidence of emergence delirium in pediatric anesthesia.

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