ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Remifentanil is a new rapid-acting and ultra-short acting mu-opioid receptor agonist with few reports from use in children. Therefore, we compared a propofol-remifentanil-anaesthesia (TIVA) with a desflurane-N2O-anaesthesia (DN) with particular regard to the recovery of characteristics in children. METHODS: 50 children (4-11 yr) scheduled for ENT surgery were randomly assigned to receive TIVA (n = 25) or DN (N = 25). After standardised i.v. induction of anaesthesia in both groups with remifentanil, propofol and cisatracurium, TIVA was maintained with infusion of propofol and remifentanil. Ventilation was with oxygen in air. DN was maintained with desflurane in 50% N20. The administration of volatile and intravenous anaesthetics was adjusted to maintain a surgical plane of anaesthesia. At the end of surgery all anaesthetics were terminated without tapering and early emergence and recovery were assessed. In addition, side effects were noted. RESULTS: Both anaesthesia methods resulted in stable haemodynamics but significantly higher heart rate with desflurane. Recovery did not differ between the groups except for delayed spontaneous respiration after TIVA. Spontaneous ventilation occurred after 11 +/- 03.7 min versus 7.2 +/- 2.8 min (mean +/- SD, TIVA versus DN), extubation after 11 +/- 3.7 min versus 9.4 +/- 2.9 min, eye opening after 11 +/- 3.9 min versus 14 +/- 7.6 min and Aldrete score > or = 9 after 17 +/- 6.8 min versus 17 +/- 7.5 min. Postoperatively, there was a significant higher incidence of agitation in the DN group (80% vs. 44%) but a low incidence (< 10%) of nausea and vomiting in both groups. CONCLUSION: In children, TIVA with remifentanil and propofol is a well-tolerated anaesthesia method, with a lower peroperative heart rate and less postoperative agitation compared with a desflurane-N2O based anaesthesia.
Subject(s)
Anesthesia, Inhalation , Anesthesia, Intravenous , Anesthetics, Inhalation/administration & dosage , Anesthetics, Intravenous/administration & dosage , Isoflurane/analogs & derivatives , Nitrous Oxide/administration & dosage , Piperidines/administration & dosage , Propofol/administration & dosage , Adenoidectomy , Akathisia, Drug-Induced/etiology , Anesthesia Recovery Period , Anesthetics, Inhalation/adverse effects , Anesthetics, Intravenous/adverse effects , Child , Child, Preschool , Desflurane , Female , Heart Rate/drug effects , Hemodynamics/drug effects , Humans , Incidence , Intubation, Intratracheal , Isoflurane/administration & dosage , Isoflurane/adverse effects , Male , Middle Ear Ventilation , Nausea/chemically induced , Nitrous Oxide/adverse effects , Piperidines/adverse effects , Propofol/adverse effects , Receptors, Opioid, mu/agonists , Remifentanil , Respiration/drug effects , Time Factors , Tonsillectomy , Vomiting/chemically induced , Wakefulness/drug effectsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Comparison of two commercially available solutions for intraoperative infusion therapy during laparotomies in infants using a standardized anesthetic technique (combination of general anesthesia with a caudal block). DESIGN: Prospective, randomized. SETTING: Infusion therapy during laparotomies in infants. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 12 infants aged 1-12 weeks (group I) and 12 infants aged 5-14 months (group II) received at random either solution A with 2.5% glucose and 70 mmol Na+ or solution B with 5.5% glucose and 100 mmol Na+ at a rate of 8 ml/kg/h. INTERVENTIONS: Central venous blood samples after induction of anesthesia and every 60 min for analysis of blood glucose, electrolyte, and hemoglobin concentrations. End of surgery: urine output during the operation and urine glucose and sodium concentrations. Statistical significance within the group: Friedmann Test, between the groups: U test by Wilcoxon, Mann and Witney. SIGNIFICANCE: p < 0.05. RESULTS (given as median and range): In group I blood glucose concentrations rose significantly during surgery, however, there was no significant difference between group A or B after 1 h. A: 234 mg/dl (156-351) vs B: 239 mg/dl (166-329)) or 2 h: A: 254 mg/dl (166-331) vs B: 272 mg/dl (176-468). In group II blood glucose levels rose significantly during surgery, however, children of group B showed significantly higher blood glucose levels than group A after 1 h [A: 119 mg/dl (114-227), B: 203 mg/dl (162-238)], 2 h [A: 154 mg/ml (106-185), B: 284 mg/dl (243-317)] or 3 h [A: 159 mg/dl (116-218), B: 248 mg/dl (201-363)]. The plasma and urine sodium concentrations did statistically not differ between the two solutions. CONCLUSIONS: Solutions containing 5.5% glucose infused with 8 ml/kg/h caused in both age groups of infants intolerable hyperglycemias. In young infants, also a solution containing 2.5% glucose infused at a rate of 8 ml/kg/h leads to hyperglycemia, while in older children this amount of glucose is tolerated. It is recommended that for abdominal surgery in young infants glucose and fluid substitution is separated, in order to infuse glucose at an even lower rate. Still, blood glucose levels have to be monitored closely.
