The Effect of Nitrous Oxide on Emergence Agitation in Pediatric Patients under Sevoflurane Anesthesia for Ophthalmic Surgery
Yeliz Kilic1, Ayten Bilir11Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir, Turkey
Objectives: Nitrous oxide (N2O) is widely used to reduce the consumption of inhalation anesthetics, especially sevoflurane that is one of the most accused risk factor of emergence agitation (EA). The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of N2O on EA in pediatrics under sevoflurane anesthesia for ophthalmic surgery. Methods: The patients were classified into two groups: sevoflurane with N2O (n=18) and those who received sevoflurane with air (n=18). The two groups were compared each other in terms of basic characteristics, postoperative pain and EA scores. Postoperative pain was measured by Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) scale, while EA was assessed with the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium (PAED) scale. Results: Thirty-six patients with a mean age of 40.1 months were enrolled in the study. The patients who received sevoflurane with N2O and those who received sevoflurane with air were similar in baseline characteristics. There were also no significant differences in all FLACC and PAED scores between the groups. Conclusion: N2O had no significant effect on postoperative pain and EA in pediatrics under sevoflurane anesthesia for ophthalmic surgery. Considering the potential adverse effects of N2O, this finding is important for more selective use of this anesthetic gas. Keywords: Emergence agitation , nitrous oxide (N2O) , pediatric anesthesia
Cite This Article
Kilic Y, Bilir A. The Effect of Nitrous Oxide on Emergence Agitation in Pediatric Patients under Sevoflurane Anesthesia for Ophthalmic Surgery. EJMI. 2021; 5(1): 57-61
Corresponding Author: Yeliz Kilic