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Seizure-induced laryngospasm during a paediatric sevoflurane induction

L R Veronese1

  • 1Logan Hospital Brisbane Australia.

Anaesthesia Reports
|October 23, 2025
PubMed

Insights

A rare case of seizure-induced laryngospasm occurred in a child during anesthesia with sevoflurane. This event, potentially neurogenic, highlights a possible side effect of the anesthetic agent.

Area of Science:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Seizures during anesthesia are uncommon but serious, particularly in children.
  • Laryngospasm is a critical airway complication during anesthesia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a unique case of seizure-induced laryngospasm in a pediatric patient.
  • To explore the potential neurogenic mechanism of laryngospasm during sevoflurane anesthesia.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of a 6-year-old child undergoing inhalational induction with sevoflurane.
  • Description of seizure activity and subsequent laryngospasm.
  • Intervention with propofol and suxamethonium.

Main Results:

  • The child experienced seizure-like activity with complete laryngospasm during sevoflurane induction.
  • Propofol successfully terminated the seizure, and suxamethonium relieved the laryngospasm.
  • No identifiable causes like secretions or inadequate anesthesia depth were found.

Conclusions:

  • This case suggests a potential neurogenic cause of laryngospasm, possibly via recurrent laryngeal nerve activation.
  • It provides rare clinical evidence supporting this mechanism in humans.
  • The pro-epileptogenic potential of sevoflurane warrants further investigation.

Keywords:
epileptiform dischargeslaryngospasmrecurrent laryngeal nerveseizuressevoflurane

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