Manejo perioperatorio de niños con infección respiratoria superior / Perioperative management of children with upper respiratory tract infection

Resumen Introducción. Es frecuente que muchos niños sometidos a procedimientos con anestesia general tengan historia de infección viral respiratoria superior reciente o activa. Objetivo. Realizar una revisión narrativa acerca de las pautas de manejo anestésico para los niños con infección reciente o activa de la vía aérea superior. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó una búsqueda estructurada de la literatura en las bases de datos ProQuest, EBSCO, ScienceDirect, PubMed, LILACS, Embase, Trip Database, SciELO y Cochrane Library con los términos Anesthesia AND Respiratory Tract Infections AND Complications; Anesthesia AND Upper respiratory tract infection AND Complications; Anesthesia, General AND Respiratory Tract Infections AND Complications; Anesthesia, General AND Upper respiratory tract infection AND Complications; Anesthesia AND Laryngospasm OR Bronchospasm. La búsqueda se hizo en inglés con sus equivalentes en español. Resultados. Se encontraron 56 artículos con información relevante para el desarrollo de la presente revisión. Conclusiones. Una menor manipulación de la vía aérea tiende a disminuir la frecuencia de aparición y severidad de eventos adversos respiratorios perioperatorios. No existe evidencia suficiente para recomendar la optimización medicamentosa en pacientes con infección respiratoria superior.

Abstract Introduction: History of recent or active upper respiratory tract infection is common in many children undergoing general anesthesia procedures. Objective: To conduct a narrative review of anesthetic management guidelines for children with recent or active upper respiratory tract infection. Materials and methods: A structured literature search was conducted in ProQuest, EBSCO, ScienceDirect, PubMed, LILACS, Embase, Trip Database, SciELO and Cochrane Library databases with the terms Anesthesia AND Respiratory Tract Infections AND Complications; Anesthesia AND Upper respiratory tract infection AND Complications; Anesthesia, General AND Respiratory Tract Infections AND Complications; Anesthesia, General AND Upper respiratory tract infection AND Complications; Anesthesia AND Laryngospasm OR Bronchospasm. The search was done in English with its equivalents in Spanish. Results: 56 articles had information relevant to meet the objective of this review. Conclusions: Minimizing manipulation of the airway tends to decrease the frequency and severity of perioperative adverse respiratory events. There is not sufficient evidence to recommend drug optimization in patients with upper respiratory tract infection.

Residential NO₂ exposure is associated with urgent healthcare use in a thunderstorm asthma cohort

BACKGROUND: There is increasing interest in the role of traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) in allergic airway diseases. Few studies investigate the relationship between TRAP exposure and acute exacerbations of asthma. OBJECTIVE: The 2016 Melbourne thunderstorm asthma epidemic provided an opportunity to investigate the relationship between proxies of TRAP exposure and asthma exacerbation requiring urgent healthcare in the previous 12 months. METHODS: Current asthmatics who presented to the 3 Emergency Departments of Melbourne's second-largest health service with epidemic thunderstorm asthma in November 2016 were identified and completed a standard questionnaire. Their residential addresses were geocoded and the annual average nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure for each patient was assigned using a validated satellite-based land use regression model. Residential distance to the nearest major road was calculated using ArcGIS. Multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate the relationship between each TRAP proxy and healthcare use, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: From 263 thunderstorm asthma patients, 88 patients identified with current asthma were analysed. Those with higher mean annual residential NO2 exposure had greater odds of urgent healthcare use in the previous year (odds ratio [OR], 3.45 per one interquartile-range increase; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31–9.10; p = 0.01), however distance from major road (OR, 0.95 per 100-m increase; 95% CI, 0.80–1.13; p = 0.57) and living < 200 m from a major road (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 0.29–7.45; p = 0.64) were not significantly associated. CONCLUSION: In current asthmatics who presented during an epidemic thunderstorm asthma event, greater exposure to residential NO2 was significantly associated with greater odds of asthma exacerbations requiring urgent healthcare in the previous 12 months.

Overweight effect on spirometric parameters in adolescents undergoing exercise / Efeito do excesso de peso sobre parâmetros espirométricos de adolescentes submetidos ao exercício

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate effects of overweight on spirometric parameters in adolescents who underwent bronchial provocation test for exercise. Methods We included 71 male adolescents. The diagnosis of asthma was done based on participants’ clinical history and on the International Study Questionnaire Asthma and Allergies in Childhood, and the diagnosis of obesity was based on body mass index above 95th percentile. The bronchospasm induced by exercise was assessed using the run-walk test on a treadmill for eight minutes. The decrease in forced expiratory volume in one second > or equal to 10% before exercise was considered positive, and to calculate the intensity in exercise-induced bronchospasm we measured the maximum percentage of forced expiratory volume in one second and above the curve area. Data analysis was carried out using the Mann-Whitney U test and Friedman test (ANOVA), followed by Wilcoxon test (p<0.05). In addition, we used Fisher’s exact test to analyze the exercise-induced bronchospasm frequency. Results Significant differences were observed among obese adolescents in exercise-induced bronchospasm frequency (p=0,013) and in relation to time required for recovery after exercise (p=0,007). Conclusion Overweight can influence the increase in the exercise-induced bronchospasm frequency in non-asthmatic adolescents compared with eutrophic adolescents.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar o efeito do excesso de peso sobre parâmetros espirométricos em adolescentes submetidos ao teste de broncoprovocação por exercício. Métodos Participaram do estudo 71 adolescentes do sexo masculino. O diagnóstico de asma foi obtido por meio de histórico clínico e do questionário International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood, e o de obesidade, pelo índice de massa corporal acima do percentil 95. Para avaliar o broncoespasmo induzido pelo exercício, utilizou-se o teste correr/caminhar em esteira ergométrica, com duração de 8 minutos, considerando positivo se diminuição do volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo >10% do valor pré-exercício e, para a intensidade do broncoespasmo induzido pelo exercício, foram utilizados o cálculo da queda percentual máxima do volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo e a área acima da curva. A análise dos dados foi realizada pelo teste U Mann-Whitney e pela ANOVA de Friedman, seguido do teste de Wilcoxon (p<0,05). O teste de Fisher foi empregado para analisar a frequência de broncoespasmo induzido pelo exercício. Resultados Foram encontradas diferenças significativas quanto à frequência de broncoespasmo induzido pelo exercício (p=0,013) e ao tempo de recuperação pós-exercício (p=0,007) nos adolescentes obesos. Conclusão O excesso de peso pode influenciar no aumento da frequência de broncoespasmo induzido pelo exercício em adolescentes não asmáticos, quando comparados a eutróficos.

Broncoespasmo desencadenado por anestesia espinal. Informe de caso y revisión de la literatura / Bronchospasm triggered by spinal anaesthesia. Case report and review of the literature

Bronchospasm is a clinical condition that can occur unexpectedly during general anaesthesia, but is extremely rare after spinal anaesthesia. The following is a case presentation of a patient who developed bronchospasm after undergoing spinal anaesthesia not attributable to other causes, and that adds another case to the limited literature. Most publications allude to asthmatic patients, and this is probably the first description about a patient with emphysema-type COPD. Our case shows that although spinal anaesthesia is considered safe for patients with respiratory disease, specifically in asthmatic patients there is a possibility of bronchospasm in susceptible patients.

El broncoespasmo es una condición clínica que puede aparecer inesperadamente durante la anestesia general, pero es extremadamente rara tras la anestesia espinal. Presentamos un paciente que desarrolló broncoespasmo tras ser sometido a anestesia espinal, no atribuible a otras causas y que añade un caso más a la escasa literatura al respecto. La mayoría de las publicaciones se refieren a pacientes asmáticos, y esta sea probablemente la primera descripción en un paciente con EPOC tipo enfisematoso. Nuestro caso muestra que aunque la anestesia espinal se considere más segura para pacientes con patología respiratoria, en concreto en pacientes asmáticos, existe la posibilidad de que ésta produzca broncoespasmo en pacientes susceptibles.

Therapeutic effect of ipratropium bromide on bronchial spasm in asthma and COPD / 中国生化药物杂志

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of ipratropium bromide on bronchial spasm of patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods 174 patients with asthma and COPD were selected and divided into two groups, 87 cases in the control group treated with budesonide and formoterol fumarate powder for inhalation , 87 cases in the experimental group received ipratropium bromide on the basis of the control group, pulmonary ventilation function, airway resistance and cytokine levels in induced sputum, the clinical effect and incidence of adverse reactions were compared after the treatment.Results The effective rate in the control group(81.61%)was lower than the experimental group (93.11%), with significant difference (P<0.05); compared with the control group, levels of peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximum midexpiratory flow (MMEF), forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity ratio (FEV1%), forced vital capacity (FVC) were higher in the experimental group after treatment, levels of airway resistance (Raw), Raw% were lower, level of specific airway conductance (Gsp) was higher after treatment, induced sputum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), intercellular adhesion molecular-1 (ICAM-1), interleukin-13 (IL-13), IL-17 were lower after treatment, with significant difference (P<0.05);there was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups.Conclusion The clinical effect of ipratropium bromide in the treatment of asthma and COPD was exactly , ipratropium bromide can significantly improve the pulmonary ventilation function in patients, relieve bronchial spasm, reduce airway resistance, inhibit airway inflammation, and the safety is higher.

Catastrophic Bronchial Spasm Due to a Severe Anaphylactic Reaction to Protamine

Fatal anaphylactic reactions to protamine sulfate during cardiac surgery are very rare. We report a case of catastrophic bronchial spasm due to an anaphylactic reaction to protamine. The patient was managed successfully using a bronchodilator, steroid treatment, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Prevalência dos sintomas de asma e alergia e avaliação dos mecanismos envolvidos no broncoespasmo induzido pelo exercício em corredores de longa distância / Prevalence of asthmatic and allergic symptoms and mechanism of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in long distance runners

A prevalência de sintomas de asma, broncoespasmo induzido pelo exercício (BIE), hiperresponsividade brônquica (HRB) e alergia em atletas que praticam modalidades de alto rendimento e longa duração tem aumentado nas últimas décadas e tem sido estudada principalmente em atletas de inverno e nadadores. No entanto, a prevalência de sintomas de asma e alergia e os mecanismos inflamatórios envolvidos no BIE que ocorre em corredores de longa distância permanecem pouco conhecidos. Objetivos: O presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a prevalência de sintomas de asma e alergia em corredores de longa distância de elite e investigar os mecanismos inflamatórios envolvidos no BIE nos atletas sem histórico de asma. Casuística e Métodos: Este estudo foi realizado em duas fases: na Fase I, foi avaliada a prevalência de sintomas de asma e alergia em 201 corredores de longa distância, através da aplicação dos questionários ISAAC e AQUA©. Na Fase II, foram avaliados os mecanismos inflamatórios envolvidos no BIE de 40 corredores que não apresentaram sintomas de asma na Fase I e que foram selecionados aleatoriamente. Nesta fase, os atletas compareceram ao laboratório em três momentos, com intervalo máximo de duas semanas entre cada visita, e foram submetidos às seguintes avaliações 1º) escarro induzido e teste cardiopulmonar máximo, 2º) broncoprovocação por metacolina e, 3º) óxido nítrico no ar exalado (FeNO), metabólitos LTE4 e 9alfa, 11beta-PGF2 e teste de hiperventilação eucápnica voluntária (HEV). Resultados: A prevalência de sintomas de asma e alergia foi de 6,5% e 60,5%, respectivamente. Ao analisar as questões do AQUA©, observou-se alta frequência de sintomas de BIE (62,3%) e rinite (56,6%). Os sintomas de alergia não foram associados a variáveis como gênero, idade, experiência em corridas de longa distância, volume de treinamento semanal e desempenho em provas de meia maratona e maratona. Verificou-se ainda que a prevalência de BIE foi de 27,5%. Quando comparados os...

An increased prevalence of asthma and allergic symptoms, exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) has been observed in elite and endurance athletes, especially winter sports athletes and swimmers. However, the occurrence of allergy symptoms and the inflammatory mechanisms involved in the EIB that occurs in long distance runners remains poorly known. Objectives: the aims of the present study were to assess the prevalence of symptoms of asthma and allergy in long distance runners and to investigate possible inflammatory mediators involved in the EIB that occurs in those without asthma history. Methods: This cross sectional study was performed in two phases. In Phase I, the prevalence of symptoms of asthma and allergy was assessed in 201 long distance runners using ISAAC and AQUA© questionnaires. In Phase II, 40 athletes were randomly selected among those who did not present asthma history and they performed the following measurements: induced sputum, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, methacholine bronchoprovocation challenge, exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), urinary collection to quantify LTE4 and 9alfa, 11beta-PGF2 metabolites and eucapnic voluntary hyperventilation test (EVH). Results: The prevalence of asthma and allergy symptoms was 6.5% and 60.5%, respectively. In addition, we observed a high frequency of EIB symptoms (62.3%) and rhinitis (56.6%). Allergy symptoms were not associated with anthropometric characteristics, running experience, weekly training volume and best half-marathon and marathon performance. The prevalence of EIB was 27.5% and no difference in baseline lung function, anthropometric data as well as training and performance characteristics was observed between athletes with (EIB+) and without (EIB-) EIB. EIB+ athletes reported more allergy symptoms (p=0.03) and were more resposive to methacholine (p=0.01) than EIB- athletes. A higher percentage of eosinophils in the induced sputum (p=0.03) and...

Uso da máscara laríngea descartável em adenotonsilectomias / The use of disposable laryngeal mask airway for adenotonsillectomies / Uso de la mascarilla laríngea desechable en adenotonsilectomías

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A intubação traqueal associada a operações das vias aéreas faz com que complicações como laringoespasmo, broncoespasmo e períodos de redução da saturação de oxigênio sejam frequentemente relatados em adenotonsilectomias, procedimento que, por sua natureza, eleva a incidência de tais complicações. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a ocorrência de problemas respiratórios comparando-se o uso da máscara laríngea (ML) descartável com a intubação orotraqueal em adenotonsilectomias. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 204 pacientes pediátricos submetidos a anestesia geral para adenotonsilectomias e alocados em dois grupos, aleatoriamente: grupo Cânula Traqueal (CT, n = 100) e grupo Máscara Laríngea (ML, n = 104). Foram observados os níveis de saturação de pulso de oxigênio (SpO2) após a indução anestésica (SpO2-1), após o estabelecimento de campo operatório (SpO2-2), ao término do procedimento cirúrgico (SpO2-3), três minutos após a retirada do dispositivo respiratório (SpO2-4) e na admissão da sala de recuperação anestésica (SpO2-5). As complicações respiratórias foram relatadas. RESULTADOS: Os valores médios e os desvios padrão de SpO2 nos grupos CT e ML foram, respectivamente: SpO2-1: 98,9 ± 1,0 e 98,7 ± 0,8 (p > 0,25); SpO2-2: 97,4 ± 1,0 e 94,9 ± 4,3 (p < 0,001); SpO2-3: 96,9 ± 1,1 e 97,2 ± 1,1 (p = 0,037); SpO2-4: 91,7 ± 9,0 e 95,2 ± 2,2 (p < 0,001); SpO2-5: 94,0 ± 2,1 e 95,8 ± 2,6 (p < 0,001). No grupo ML, em 12 pacientes, foi necessária alguma manobra para ajuste do dispositivo e correção de vazamento durante o ato operatório. A ML foi substituída pela CT em quatro pacientes. As complicações respiratórias foram similares entre os grupos. CONCLUSÕES: Adenotonsilectomias em pacientes pediátricos com o emprego da ML, em comparação com a CT, resulta em menores valores de SpO2 intraoperatórios e, eventualmente, necessidade de substituição da ML pela CT. Apesar de a ML viabilizar a cirurgia, pela segurança, o uso da CT é preferível.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tracheal intubation associated with airway operations can cause complications such as laryngospasm, bronchospasm and periods of reduced oxygen saturation. Such complications are frequently reported during adenotonsillectomies, a procedure that by nature increases the incidence of airway complications. The objective of this study was to compare the occurrence of respiratory problems during adenotonsillectomies while using either a disposable laryngeal mask airway (LMA) or an endotracheal tube (TT). METHODS: We evaluated 204 pediatric patients undergoing general anesthesia for adenotonsillectomies. The patients were randomly allocated into either the tracheal intubation group (TT, n = 100) or the laryngeal mask airway group (LMA, n = 104). It was measured the level of oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry (SpO2) after the induction of anesthesia (SpO2-1), after establishing the operative field (SpO2-2), at the end of the surgical procedure (SpO2-3), three minutes after the removal of the contained breathing apparatus (SpO2-4) and upon admission to the post-anesthesia care unit (SpO2-5). All respiratory complications were recorded. RESULTS: The mean SpO2 values and standard deviations for the TT and LMA groups were as follows: SpO2-1: 98.9 ± 1.0 and 98.7 ± 0.8 (p > 0.25), SpO2-2: 97.4 ± 1.0 and 94.9 ± 4.3 (p < 0.001), SpO2-3: 96.9 ± 1.1 and 97.2 ± 1.1 (p = 0.037), SpO2-4: 91.7 ± 9.0 and 95.2 ± 2.2 (p < 0.001) and SpO2-5: 94.0 ± 2.1 and 95.8 ± 2.6 (p < 0.001), respectively. In the LMA group, 12 patients required some maneuvering to fix positioning and leaks during surgery. In four patients, the LMA had to be replaced with a TT. Respiratory complications were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Performing adenotonsillectomies in pediatric patients using a LMA resulted in a lower intraoperative SpO2, compared to using a TT. In some cases, the LMA had to be replaced with an endotracheal tube. Although the surgery may be performed with LMA, the use of a TT is preferred for safety.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: La intubación traqueal asociada con las operaciones de las vías aéreas hace con que complicaciones como el laringoespasmo, el broncoespasmo y los períodos de reducción de la saturación de oxígeno sean a menudo relatados en adenotonsilectomías, procedimiento que, por su naturaleza, eleva la incidencia de tales complicaciones. El objetivo de este estudio, fue analizar la aparición de problemas respiratorios comparándose el uso de la mascarilla laríngea (ML) desechable con la intubación orotraqueal en adenotonsilectomías. MÉTODOS: Se evaluaron 204 pacientes pediátricos sometidos a la anestesia general para las adenotonsilectomías que se dividieron en dos grupos aleatoriamente: grupo Cánula Traqueal (CT, n = 100) y grupo Mascarilla Laríngea (ML, n = 104). Se observaron los niveles de saturación de pulso de oxígeno (SpO2) después de la inducción anestésica (SpO2-1), posteriormente al establecimiento del campo operatorio (SpO2-2), al término del procedimiento quirúrgico (SpO2-3), tres minutos después de la retirada del dispositivo respiratorio (SpO2-4) y a la llegada a la sala de recuperación anestésica (SpO2-5). Las complicaciones respiratorias se relataron. RESULTADOS: Los valores promedios y las desviaciones estándar de SpO2 en los grupos CT y ML fueron, respectivamente: SpO2-1: 98,9 ± 1,0 y 98,7 ± 0,8 (p > 0,25); SpO2-2: 97,4 ± 1,0 y 94,9 ± 4,3 (p < 0,001); SpO2-3: 96,9 ± 1,1 y 97,2 ± 1,1 (p = 0,037); SpO2-4: 91,7 ± 9,0 y 95,2 ± 2,2 (p < 0,001); SpO2-5: 94,0 ± 2,1 y 95,8 ± 2,6 (p < 0,001). En el grupo ML, en 12 pacientes, se necesitó alguna maniobra para el ajuste del dispositivo y para la corrección del escape durante la operación. La ML se remplazó por la CT en cuatro pacientes. Las complicaciones respiratorias fueron similares entre los grupos. CONCLUSIONES: La realización de adenotonsilectomías en pacientes pediátricos con el uso de la ML, en comparación con la CT, acarrea menores valores de SpO2 intraoperatorios y eventualmente la necesidad de sustitución de la ML por la CT. A pesar de que la ML viabiliza la realización de la cirugía, en razón de la seguridad, se prefiere el uso de la CT.

Afebrile pneumonia (whooping cough) syndrome in infants at Hospital Universitario del Valle, Cali, 2001-2007 / Neumonía afebril del lactante (síndrome tosferinoso) en el Hospital Universitario del Valle, Cali, 2001-2007

Introduction: Afebrile pneumonia syndrome in infants, also called infant pneumonitis, pneumonia caused by atypical pathogens or whooping cough syndrome is a major cause of severe lower respiratory infection in young infants, both in developing countries and in developed countries.Objective: To describe children with afebrile pneumonia syndrome.Methods: Through a cross-sectional study, we reviewed the medical records of children diagnosed with afebrile pneumonia treated at Hospital Universitario del Valle, a reference center in southwestern Colombia, between June 2001 and December 2007. We obtained data on maternal age and origin, prenatal care, the child’s birth, breastfeeding, vaccination status, symptoms, signs, diagnosis, treatment, and complications.Results: We evaluated 101 children with this entity, noting a stationary presentation: June-August and November- December. A total of 73% of the children were under 4 months of age; the most common symptoms were: cyanotic and spasmodic cough (100%), respiratory distress (70%), and unquantified fever (68%). The most common findings: rales (crackles) (50%), wheezing and expiratory stridor (37%); 66% were classified as mild and of the remaining 33%, half of them required attention in the intensive care unit. In all, there was clinical diagnosis of afebrile pneumonia syndrome in infants, but no etiologic diagnosis was made and despite this, 94% of the children received macrolides.Conclusions: These data support the hypothesis that most of these patients acquired the disease by airway, possibly caused by viral infection and did not require the indiscriminate use of macrolides.

A Case of Propofol-Induced Oropharyngeal Angioedema and Bronchospasm

Propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol) is an ultrashort-acting sedative agent with sedative and amnestic effects that is used not only for anesthesia but also for sedation during minor outpatient procedures and endoscopic examinations. Rare cases of anaphylaxis following propofol administration have been reported in the medical literature. Documentation of anaphylaxis is often lacking because the cause and effect relationship is often hard to prove. Only a minority of patients get referred for allergy testing to confirm the offending drug. Here we report a 74-year-old woman who had an anaphylactic reaction with severe oropharyngeal edema and bronchospasm for a few minutes after receiving propofol during endoscopic examination. An allergy skin test was positive for both propofol and soybean. Soybean in the intralipid is one component of propofol, and we concluded that this anaphylaxis was caused by soybean.

Recurrent unilateral lung ventilation disorder in a patient that experienced rocuronium-induced anaphylactic bronchospasm during laparoscopic rectal surgery: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Rocuronium is the anesthetic agent most likely to cause anaphylaxis. Immediately after intravenous rocuronium administration, the authors experienced ventilatory impairment due to unilateral bronchospasm (left lung), which was relieved by emergency treatment. However, 80 minutes after beginning laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer, the left lung suddenly re-collapsed under pneumoperitoneum in the Trendelenburg position. A postoperative intradermal test revealed that rocuronium, vecuronium, atracurium, succinylcholine, or thiopental could induce anaphylaxis in this patient, but it was not established whether the second incident during surgery was due to endobronchial intubation or anaphylactic bronchospasm. This case cautions that under pneumoperitoneum in the Trendelenburg position, patients suspected of being prone to anaphylactic bronchospasm should also be considered at risk of endobronchial intubation.

Non-asthmatic patients show increased exhaled nitric oxide concentrations

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate whether exhaled nitric oxide may serve as a marker of intraoperative bronchospasm. INTRODUCTION: Intraoperative bronchospasm remains a challenging event during anesthesia. Previous studies in asthmatic patients suggest that exhaled nitric oxide may represent a noninvasive measure of airway inflammation. METHODS: A total of 146,358 anesthesia information forms, which were received during the period from 1999 to 2004, were reviewed. Bronchospasm was registered on 863 forms. From those, three groups were identified: 9 non-asthmatic patients (Bronchospasm group), 12 asthmatics (Asthma group) and 10 subjects with no previous airway disease or symptoms (Control group). All subjects were submitted to exhaled nitric oxide measurements (parts/billion), spirometry and the induced sputum test. The data was compared by ANOVA followed by the Tukey test and Kruskal-Wallis followed by Dunn's test. RESULTS: The normal lung function test results for the Bronchospasm group were different from those of the asthma group (p <0.05). The median percentage of eosinophils in induced sputum was higher for the Asthma [2.46 (0.45-6.83)] compared with either the Bronchospasm [0.55 (0-1.26)] or the Control group [0.0 (0)] (p <0.05); exhaled nitric oxide followed a similar pattern for the Asthma [81.55 (57.6-86.85)], Bronchospasm [46.2 (42.0 -62.6] and Control group [18.7 (16.0-24.7)] (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Non-asthmatic patients with intraoperative bronchospasm detected during anesthesia and endotracheal intubation showed increased expired nitric oxide.