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Brainstem auditory evoked response during propofol anaesthesia in children
1Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Yorkhill, Glasgow.
Insights
Propofol anesthesia slightly increased brainstem auditory response latencies in children undergoing surgery. These dose-dependent changes were minimal, allowing propofol use during brainstem auditory evoked response testing.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Neurophysiology
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAERs) assess auditory pathway function.
- Propofol is a common anesthetic agent in pediatric surgery.
- Understanding propofol's effects on neurophysiological tests is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of propofol on brainstem auditory evoked responses in children.
- To determine if propofol anesthesia affects BAERs in a dose-dependent manner.
Main Methods:
- Studied 10 healthy children undergoing elective surgery.
- Administered propofol via computer-controlled infusion for anesthesia.
- Recorded basal BAERs in awake children and at varying propofol infusion rates.
Main Results:
- Observed significant, dose-dependent increases in latencies for brainstem waves III and V.
- Noted dose-dependent increases in interpeak intervals I-V and III-V.
- The observed changes in BAERs were small.
Conclusions:
- Propofol anesthesia causes minor, dose-dependent alterations in pediatric BAERs.
- These effects do not contraindicate the use of propofol for BAER testing in children.
Abstract:
The effect of propofol on the brainstem auditory response was studied in 10 healthy children presenting for elective general surgery. A computer-controlled infusion of propofol was used to induce and maintain anaesthesia. Basal brainstem auditory evoked responses were recorded in the awake child and at different infusion rates of propofol. Significant increases in the latencies of the brainstem waves III and V and the interpeak intervals I-V and III-V were seen and were dose dependent. The changes were small and would not preclude the use of propofol anaesthesia for brainstem auditory evoked response testing in children.