Related Experiment Videos
Anesthesia for magnetic resonance imaging in children: a low incidence of protracted post-procedure vomiting
D J Murray1, C M Schmid, R B Forbes
1Department of Anesthesia, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City 52242, USA.
Insights
Vomiting after inhalation anesthesia for pediatric MRI is uncommon. Most cases were mild and did not delay recovery, suggesting anesthesia is not a major cause of post-procedure emesis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Anesthesiology
- Radiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Inhalation anesthesia is used for pediatric MRI.
- Postoperative vomiting is a concern in pediatric patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence and severity of vomiting in pediatric patients undergoing inhalation anesthesia for MRI.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 234 pediatric patients.
- Anesthesia for MRI over a 30-month period.
- Analysis of vomiting episodes and recovery times.
Main Results:
- 9% of patients experienced vomiting.
- Most vomiting episodes were isolated and did not delay oral intake or discharge.
- Only one patient had frequent vomiting; all resolved spontaneously within 8 hours.
Conclusions:
- Protracted vomiting is infrequent after inhalation anesthesia for MRI.
- Inhalation anesthesia is likely a minor contributor to postoperative vomiting compared to other factors.
Study Objective:
To determine the incidence and severity of vomiting in pediatric patients who have had inhalation anesthesia for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Design:
A retrospective study of consecutive pediatric patients who had anesthesia for MRI.
Setting:
A large university hospital with an integrated clinic facility.
Patients:
234 children who required an MRI under general anesthesia over a 30 month period (July 1989 to February 1992).
Measurements And Main Results:
The duration of inhalation anesthesia was 105 +/- 33 minutes. Following anesthesia, the time to oral intake was 92 +/- 69 minutes. Eighteen patients (9%) experienced one or more episodes or emesis. In 14 of the 18 patients, vomiting occurred once and did not delay the intake of oral fluids or the discharge time from clinic when compared with the rest of the patients. Only one patient had frequent vomiting (more than three episodes), and all vomiting resolved spontaneously without anti-emetic therapy in less than eight hours following anesthesia.
Conclusions:
Protracted post-procedure vomiting is an infrequent complication of inhalation anesthesia for MRI. Inhalation anesthesia may be a less important cause of postoperative vomiting than factors such as the type of operative procedure, use of opioids, or presence of postoperative pain.