Ira Todd Cohen

A comparison of three doses of a commercially prepared oral midazolam syrup in children.

Midazolam is widely used as a preanesthetic medication for children. Prior studies have used extemporaneous formulations to disguise the bitter taste of IV midazolam and to improve patient acceptance, but with unknown bioavailability. In this prospective, randomized, double-blinded study we examined the efficacy, safety, and taste acceptability of three doses (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/kg, up to a maximum of 20 mg) of commercially prepared Versed® syrup (midazolam HCl) in children stratified by age (6 mo to <2 yr, 2 to <6 yr, and 6 to <16 yr). All children were ASA class I–III scheduled for elective surgery. Subjects were continuously observed and monitored with pulse oximetry. Ninety-five percent of patients accepted the syrup, and 97% demonstrated satisfactory sedation before induction. There was an apparent relationship between dose and onset of sedation and anxiolysis (P < 0.01). Eight-eight percent had satisfactory anxiety ratings at the time of attempted separation from parents, and 86% had satisfactory anxiety ratings at face mask application. The youngest age group recovered earlier than the two older age groups (P < 0.001). There was no relationship between midazolam dose and duration of postanesthesia care unit stay. Before induction, there were no episodes of desaturation, but there were two episodes of nausea and three episodes of emesis. At the time of induction, during anesthesia, and in the postanesthesia care unit, there were several adverse respiratory events. Oral midazolam syrup is effective for producing sedation and anxiolysis at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg, with minimal effects on respiration and oxygen saturation even when administered at doses as large as 1.0 mg/kg (maximum, 20 mg) as the sole sedating medication to healthy children in a supervised clinical setting.

Rapid emergence does not explain agitation following sevoflurane anaesthesia in infants and children: A comparison with propofol

Background: Emergence agitation in children is frequently associated with the use of the new highly insoluble volatile anaesthetics. Rapid emergence has been cited as one of the possible causes. Propofol also permits rapid emergence from general anaesthesia but is not associated with agitation.

Propofol or midazolam do not reduce the incidence of emergence agitation associated with desflurane anaesthesia in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy.

Summary Background: The aim of the study was to determine if concurrent use of short‐acting sedatives would decrease the incidence of emergence agitation associated with desflurane while preserving rapid recovery.

Ondansetron oral disintegrating tablets: acceptability and efficacy in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), a major complication in children, is responsive to IV and oral ondansetron. Because these routes are not always available, we studied the acceptability and efficacy of ondansetron oral disintegrating tablets (ODT). In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, 62 patients undergoing adenotonsillectomy, aged 5 to 11 years, preoperatively received ODT (4 mg) or placebo. Patients assessed the medication for taste and sensation. Anesthesia was induced with sevoflurane, maintained with desflurane, and supplemented with fentanyl 2.5 &mgr;g/kg and dexamethasone 0.5 mg/kg (maximum dose, 12 mg). An observer blinded to treat-ment evaluated patients for pain, agitation, and PONV. Postoperative treatment consisted of fentanyl 1 &mgr;g/kg for pain and agitation and metoclopramide 0.15 mg/kg (maximum dose, 10 mg) for PONV. There were no significant differences between study groups with regard to age, weight, recovery time, agitation, or pain. Approximately 90% of the subjects found the ODT to taste good. No subject rejected the study medication, but the ondansetron-containing tablets were found to be less palatable than the placebo. The incidence of vomiting was significantly less in the ondansetron-medicated group.

A Double-Blind Comparison of Intravenous Ondansetron and Placebo for Preventing Postoperative Emesis in 1- to 24- Month-Old Pediatric Patients After Surgery Under General Anesthesia

We assessed the efficacy and safety of ondansetron (0.1 mg/kg IV) prophylactically administered before surgery for prevention of postoperative vomiting (POV) in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 670 pediatric patients, 1- to 24-mo-old, undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia. The study enrolled 335 children in each treatment group (ondansetron versus placebo). Significantly fewer children treated with ondansetron exhibited emesis or discontinued the study prematurely after surgery (ondansetron, 11%; placebo, 28%; odds ratio = 0.33; P < 0.0001). The number required to treat prophylactically with ondansetron to prevent POV was approximately six. Ondansetron treatment also resulted in fewer patients requiring rescue medication or assumed to have had rescue upon early discontinuation from the study during the postoperative period (ondansetron, 5%; placebo, 10%) and less emesis (0 of 6) after rescue medication when compared with placebo (7 of 21). The incidence of POV and other antiemetic effects of ondansetron were similar in children aged 1–12 mo and 13–24 mo and in children prospectively expected or not expected to require opioids as part of their anesthetic or analgesic management. Ondansetron was well tolerated; the incidence of adverse events considered possibly related to study drug was similar between treatment groups (ondansetron, 1.8%; placebo, 1.5%).

Clinical and biochemical effects of propofol EDTA vs sevoflurane in healthy infants and young children.

Background : Propofol is frequently used for the induction and maintenance of anaesthesia in children aged 3 years and older. The present study compared the clinical and chemical effects of propofol containing disodium edetate (Diprivan®) with that of sevoflurane in children younger than 3 years of age.

Caudal block complication in a patient with trisomy 13

In this report we describe a complication of a caudal block in a 4‐year‐old child with trisomy 13. The patients history was remarkable for microcephaly, developmental delay, seizures, apnea, and prolonged emergence times. Induction of anesthesia and tracheal intubation were uneventful. A caudal block was aborted after positive aspiration of cerebrospinal fluid. A radiogram suggestive of spinal dysraphism, found on subsequent review, was confirmed by a magnetic resonance imaging scan consistent with tethered cord and dural ectasia. Congenital abnormalities associated with trisomy 13 and cutaneous signs suggestive of spinal abnormalities are reviewed. Avoidance of neuraxial regional anesthesia in these patients is recommended.

Repeat episodes of severe muscle rigidity in a child receiving sevoflurane

We report on a patient who developed two episodes of severe muscle rigidity, increased endtidal CO2 and increased creatine phosphate kinase associated with sevoflurane anesthesia. Dysrhythmias and hyperthermia were not observed and dantrolene was not administered. Genetic testing for the 17 known mutations associated with malignant hyperthermia (MH) was negative. Although we cannot rule out MH or other neuromuscular diseases we suggest that this rare event may be a direct effect of sevoflurane.

Ondansetron for postoperative nausea and vomiting

Postoperative nausea and vomiting, both early onset and delayed, continues to be a major concern of patients and practitioners. Postoperative nausea and vomiting is recognized as a debilitating and potentially dangerous occurrence during the recovery period. Extensive studies of the serotonin subtype 5-hydroxytryptamine3 receptor antagonist ondansetron have demonstrated efficacy and safety in all age groups. Ondansetron has been shown to be most effective in preventing early postoperative vomiting in high-risk populations. Nausea and delayed postoperative nausea and vomiting are more effectively treated by combination therapies. Further understanding of patient-to-patient variability in the metabolism of ondansetron and the interaction of the different receptors in the nausea–vomiting neuroendocrine pathway may eventually greatly decrease the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting.