Anesthesia & Clinical Research
Open Access

Abstract

Induction with Propofol Decreases Emergence Agitation in Pediatric Patients

Onur Koyuncu, Mustafa Ozgur, Cagla Akkurt, Selim Turhanoglu, Bulent Akcora, Mehmet Emin Celikkaya and Alparslan Turan

Background and objectives: Emergence agitation (EA) is a common complication seen after inhalational anesthesia especially with sevoflurane, with an incidence of 20-80%. The hypothesis of the study was that induction with propofol reduces the incidence and severity of emergence agitation when compared with sevoflurane in children undergoing inguinal hernia surgery.

Methods: 116 Children undergoing inguinal hernia were randomly assigned to two groups: Sevoflurane group received sevoflurane increasing concentrations up to 8% and propofol group received 3 mg kg propofol in induction. Postoperative agitation treatment and analgesia was standardized, and postoperative assessments included Cole Agitation Scale and narcotic consumption for agitation, Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale for pain, first spontaneous eye opening time, first verbal command follow time, post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) staying time, first analgesic requirement time and parents satisfaction.

Results: The incidence of EA at arrival in PACU and the cumulative incidences at the end of the postoperative two hours were significantly lower in the propofol group. EA scores were lower in propofol group in all measurement times during postoperative 30 minutes. Fentanyl consumption at arrival in PACU and the sum of the two hours were significantly lower in propofol group. Pain scores were lower in propofol group in the postoperative 24 hours. First analgesic requirement time and parents satisfaction were higher in propofol group.

Conclusion: Propofol in accurate dose is effective in reducing the incidence and intense of EA in children undergoing inguinal hernia and maybe preferred in children with high risk of EA.