Sedation and general anesthesia outside of the operating room

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the status and adverse events of anesthesiologist-administered sedation and general anesthesia, outside of the operating room. METHODS: Patients undergoing sedation and general anesthesia, outside of the operating room, were retrospectively reviewed, during the study period from March to October of 2011. The patient's characteristics, primary diagnosis for the procedure, procedures performed outside of the operating room, adverse events associated with sedation and anesthesia, sedatives/anesthetic agents, and anesthetic time, were all assessed. RESULTS: A total of 429 patient's submitted data on 44 sedation/401 general anesthesia were encountered, during the study period. The range of age varied from 2 months to 83 yrs. Most common primary diagnosis for the procedure, during sedation or general anesthesia, was vascular or neurologic problem, respectively. The most frequently used sedatives or analgesics were propofol alone, during sedation (45%) and propofol with remifentanil, during general anesthesia (60%), respectively. Adverse events occurred in 32%, during sedation and 29%, during general anesthesia. Bradycardia occurred in 16% of sedation and hypotension occurred in 15% of general anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the sedation/general anesthesia for procedures, outside of the operating room, have been performed in a complex situation, various location, and wide age groups. Adequate monitoring, sufficient anesthesia support, including skilled staff and emergency equipments, and appropriate drug for each procedure are needed for the patient's safety.