Korean J Anesthesiol.  2010 Aug;59(2):75-81. 10.4097/kjae.2010.59.2.75.

The effect of propofol on emergence agitation in children receiving sevoflurane for adenotonsillectomy

• Lee CJ
• Lee SE
• Oh MK
• Shin CM
• Kim YJ
• Choe YK
• Cheong SH
• Lee KM
• Lee JH
• Lim SH
• Kim YH
• Cho KR

• KMID: 1766366
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2010.59.2.75

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The administration of a single dose of propofol is reported to be effective in decreasing the incidence and severity of emergence agitation (EA) in children following sevoflurane anesthesia. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical usefulness of a single dose of propofol 1 mg/kg at the end of adenotonsillectomy for reducing the incidence of EA after sevoflurane anesthesia.
METHODS
Ninety children, aged 3-8 years, undergoing adenotonsillectomy were randomized into two groups: the propofol group (n = 45) and the saline group (n = 45), of which 88 children completed the study. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane 2-2.5 vol% and nitrous oxide/oxygen (50%/50%). At the completion of adenotonsillectomy, the propofol group patients were given 1 mg/kg of propofol and the saline group patients were given saline 0.1 ml/kg in the same volume. The incidence of EA was assessed with Aono's four point scale and the severity of EA was assessed with pediatric anesthesia emergence delirium (PAED) scale at 5 min (T5), 15 min (T15) and 30 min (T30) after emergence.
RESULTS
Of the 88 patients, the incidence of EA at T5, T15 and T30 was 61.4%, 27.3%, and 4.5% in the propofol group while in the saline group was 68.2%, 29.5%, and 9.1%, respectively. The incidence and severity of EA were not found to be significantly different between the two groups, but the scales in each group decreased significantly over time.
CONCLUSIONS
The administration of propofol 1 mg/kg at the end of surgery did not have any significant effect in reducing the incidence and severity of EA in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy under sevoflurane anesthesia.

Keyword

Child; Emergence agitation; Propofol; Sevoflurane

MeSH Terms

Aged
Anesthesia
Child
Delirium
Dihydroergotamine
Humans
Incidence
Methyl Ethers
Propofol
Weights and Measures
Dihydroergotamine
Methyl Ethers
Propofol