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Halothane-propofol anaesthesia for tracheal intubation in young children

D Hansen1, W Schaffartzik, D Dopjans

  • 1Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Benjamin Franklin Medical Centre, Free University of Berlin.

British Journal of Anaesthesia
|April 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

This study compared intubating conditions and cardiovascular changes in children using light halothane with propofol versus deep halothane anesthesia. Both methods provided acceptable intubation, but light halothane with propofol showed a smaller decrease in blood pressure.

Area of Science:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Pediatric Anesthesia

Background:

  • Halothane is a common anesthetic agent in pediatric patients.
  • Propofol is an alternative anesthetic agent with a different cardiovascular profile.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare intubating conditions and cardiovascular changes in children aged 3-6 years.
  • To evaluate the combination of light halothane (1% end-tidal concentration) with propofol (3 mg/kg) versus deep halothane (2% end-tidal concentration) anesthesia.

Main Methods:

  • A double-blind, randomized study involving 100 healthy children (3-6 years old).
  • Assessment of intubating conditions included ease of laryngoscopy, vocal cord position, and coughing.
  • Cardiovascular changes, specifically systolic arterial pressure, were monitored.

Main Results:

  • No statistically significant differences in intubating conditions were observed between the groups.
  • Acceptable intubating conditions were achieved in 94% of children in the 1% halothane-propofol group and 100% in the 2% halothane group.
  • Systolic arterial pressure decreased by 13% in the 1% halothane-propofol group versus 20% in the 2% halothane group (P < 0.01).

Conclusions:

  • Both light halothane with propofol and deep halothane anesthesia provide acceptable intubating conditions in children.
  • The combination of light halothane and propofol results in a less pronounced decrease in systolic arterial pressure compared to deep halothane anesthesia.

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