Effect of single-dose dexmedetomidine on emergence agitation and recovery profiles after sevoflurane anesthesia in pediatric ambulatory surgery.

PURPOSE: To study the effects of dexmedetomidine (DEX), a selective α(2)-adrenoreceptor agonist, on emergence agitation (EA), recovery profiles, and parents' satisfaction after sevoflurane anesthesia in pediatric ambulatory surgery. METHODS: In a double-blind trial, 81 children (ASA PS 1 or 2, 1-9 years) undergoing same-day or overnight-stay surgery were randomly assigned to receive intravenous DEX 0.3 µg kg⁻¹ (n = 39) or saline (n = 42) over 10 min after induction of anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with sevoflurane using a facemask or laryngeal mask airway with spontaneous respiration. Agitation was assessed with a 1-4 point scale and pain with a 0-10 point scale. The patients' parents were interviewed 24 h after surgery, and adverse events and the parents' level of satisfaction with perioperative care were recorded. RESULTS: The incidence of EA (agitation scale score 3 or 4) was significantly lower in the DEX group (28%) than in the saline group (64%) (P = 0.0011). The mean pain scales in the DEX group were significantly lower than in the saline group during the stay in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) (P < 0.01). The incidence of adverse events, times to the first drinking and voiding in the PACU, time spent in the PACU, and parents' satisfaction level were not different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Intravenous DEX at a dose of 0.3 µg kg⁻¹ after induction of anesthesia reduced sevoflurane-associated EA and postoperative pain in pediatric ambulatory surgery, with no increase in the incidence of adverse events and with no change in parents' satisfaction level.

Delayed discharge and acceptability of ambulatory surgery in adult outpatients receiving general anesthesia.

PURPOSE: Delay in discharge after ambulatory surgery impairs its cost-effectiveness. However, it is not self-evident that prolonged postoperative stay is associated with low quality of care and patient acceptability of ambulatory surgery. The aims of this study were to document factors affecting delay in discharge, recovery profiles, and patient acceptability in adult outpatients. METHODS: Perioperative data were collected prospectively on consecutive 726 adult same-day surgical patients receiving general anesthesia. Factors that affected home-readiness, discharge, and unanticipated admission were noted. Patients were followed up 24 h after discharge using a standardized questionnaire to identify postdischarge symptoms, patient's self-rated resumption of normal activity (RNA) level, and preference of outpatient procedure. RESULTS: Eighty-two percent of patients were discharged home <270 min after operation, 16% were delayed (> or = 270 min), and 2% required unanticipated admission. Delayed patients reported postdischarge pain more frequently (53%) and a lower 24-h postoperative RNA level (7.2 +/- 1.8) and preference ratio (76%) than no-delay patients (34%, 8.0 +/- 1.9, 87%, respectively; P < 0.001). Delay in home-readiness (> or = 165 min) was mainly due to an adverse symptom, and delay in discharge after reaching home-readiness (> or = 150 min) was mainly due to a persistent symptom (58%) or a social/system problem (34%). Causes of admission were perioperative complications (80%) or social reasons (20%). CONCLUSION: Delays in discharge are mainly due to adverse symptoms or social/system problems. Delayed discharge is associated with increased postdischarge pain, lower RNA level, and patient acceptability. Appropriate care of postoperative symptoms and system management could prevent delay in discharge and improve patient RNA level and acceptability.

[Anesthesia for a pediatric patient with Coffin-Siris syndrome].

A 3-year-old boy with Coffin-Siris syndrome was scheduled to undergo diagnostic laparoscopy, inguinal herniorrhaphy and orchiopexy at an ambulatory setting and same-day admission. Following anesthesia induction with inhalational sevoflurane, upper airway obstruction and hypoxemia developed. Hypoxemia was resolved immediately by manual positive pressure ventilation, although the stomach became bulged. Operation was finished uneventfully. However, he had massive bronchial secretion during anesthesia. He was admitted as planned and discharged on postoperative day 2. Since patients with Coffin-Siris syndrome have potential airway and pulmonary dysfunctions, careful perianesthesia airway and respiratory managements are essential.