Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 26, 2025
Author Spotlight: A Non-Intubated Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery with Multimodal Analgesia and Sevoflurane Inhalation Anesthesia
Published on: May 26, 2023
Pre-operative breathing training based on video learning reduces emergence delirium in preschool children: A
Li-Nan Zhang1, Yi Liu2, Qian-Qian Guo2
1Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 58, Zhongshan 2(nd) Road, Guangzhou 510080, China; Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 600, Tianhe Road, Guangzhou 510635, China.
Insights
Preoperative breathing training significantly reduced emergence delirium in preschool children undergoing surgery. This intervention lowered delirium incidence from 35.1% to 10.4%, improving recovery.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Anesthesiology
- Perioperative Medicine
- Surgical Outcomes
Background:
- Emergence delirium is a frequent complication in preschool children post-general anesthesia.
- It can lead to adverse outcomes, necessitating effective preventive strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of preoperative breathing training, delivered via video, in reducing emergence delirium.
- The study focused on preschool children undergoing otorhinolaryngologic surgery.
Main Methods:
- A single-center, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted.
- 170 children (3-7 years) were randomized into a breathing training group or a control group.
- Emergence delirium was assessed using the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium score.
Main Results:
- The breathing training group showed a significantly lower incidence of emergence delirium (10.4%) compared to the control group (35.1%).
- Awakening time and maximum post-anesthesia care unit scores were significantly reduced in the training group.
- No significant differences were observed in extubation or post-anesthesia care unit stay times.
Conclusions:
- Preoperative breathing training, incorporating video learning, effectively decreases emergence delirium in preschool children.
- This intervention offers a promising strategy for improving pediatric anesthesia recovery.
Study Objective:
Emergence delirium is a common complication in preschool children after general anesthesia and may result in undesirable complications. This study aimed to determine whether breathing training after watching an informative video during the pre-operative visit could reduce the incidence of emergence delirium in preschool children after otorhinolaryngologic surgery under general anesthesia.
Design:
A single-center, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial.
Setting:
Perioperative care.
Patients:
A total of 170 children undergoing otorhinolaryngologic surgery, aged 3-7 years, ASA physical status I or II were involved.
Interventions:
Patients were randomized to receive breathing training during the pre-operative visit (Training group) or to receive pre-operative visit only (Control group) the day before surgery.
Measurements:
Emergence delirium was measured by the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium score during the anesthesia recovery time. Data regarding extubation time and post-anesthesia care unit stay time were collected.
Main Results:
Children who received breathing training during the pre-operative visit had a significantly lower incidence of emergence delirium than those who only underwent the pre-operative visit (10.4% vs. 35.1%, P < 0.001). The awakening time score and the maximum score in the post-anesthesia care unit were significantly lower in the training group compared with the control group [4.4 ± 3.4 vs. 6.9 ± 4.2, P < 0.001 and 5.0 (5.0) vs 7.0 (7.0), P = 0.001, respectively]. We found no differences in the extubation time and post-anesthesia care unit stay time between groups.
Conclusions:
We concluded that breathing training based on video learning during the pre-operative visit in preschool children undergoing otorhinolaryngologic surgery could significantly decrease the incidence of emergence delirium.
Trial Registration:
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Reference number: ChiCTR1900026162); registered on September 24, 2019.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management
01:29Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm
Respiratory depth measures the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a breath. It can vary from shallow to deep and typically remains consistent when a person is at rest or asleep. Occasionally, individuals will automatically inhale deeply, known as sighing, which inflates the lungs with more air than normal breathing.
To assess respiratory depth, observe the degree of chest excursion or movement: