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The effects of general anesthesia on upper respiratory tract infections in children

A R Tait1, P R Knight

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor 48109.

Anesthesiology
|December 1, 1987
PubMed

Insights

Children with uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) undergoing myringotomy surgery showed no increased risk of respiratory complications. Anesthesia and surgery even reduced the duration and prevalence of URI symptoms in these pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Anesthesiology
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Otolaryngology

Background:

  • Upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) are common in children.
  • The impact of URIs on perioperative respiratory complications in pediatric patients undergoing elective surgery remains a concern.
  • Myringotomy is a frequent pediatric surgical procedure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of perioperative respiratory complications and symptomatology in pediatric patients with URIs undergoing myringotomy.
  • To compare complication rates between children with and without URIs.
  • To assess the effect of general anesthesia and surgery on URI symptoms.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study of 489 pediatric patients undergoing myringotomy.
  • Anesthesia administered via face mask using halothane N2O/O2.
  • Data collected from anesthesia/recovery records and standardized questionnaires.
  • Comparison with a matched group of non-anesthetized controls.

Main Results:

  • No significant difference in perioperative complications between asymptomatic children (1.23%), symptomatic children meeting URI criteria (1.28%), and symptomatic children not meeting criteria (2.38%).
  • Pediatric patients receiving anesthesia and surgery experienced significantly fewer and shorter-lasting respiratory symptoms compared to controls.
  • No increased morbidity observed in children with uncomplicated URIs not requiring tracheal intubation.

Conclusions:

  • Acute uncomplicated URIs do not increase perioperative morbidity in pediatric patients undergoing myringotomy without tracheal intubation.
  • General anesthesia and myringotomy surgery may lead to a decrease in the prevalence and duration of respiratory symptoms in children.
  • Current findings support proceeding with minor elective surgeries in pediatric patients with stable, uncomplicated URIs.

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