Effect of nitrous oxide exposure during surgery on the homocysteine concentrations of children.

Background: Nitrous oxide converts vitamin B12 to its nonmetabolically active form, inhibits methionine synthase, and results in an elevation of plasma total homocysteine (tHcy). The authors investigated the effect of nitrous oxide anesthesia on the plasma tHcy concentrations in children the morning after surgery and whether blood concentrations of folate and vitamins B12 and B6 were associated with any potential increase.

Methods: The authors measured plasma tHcy concentrations in 32 children before and 24 h after initial exposure to nitrous oxide (≥ 2 h).

Cerebral blood flow velocity in children anaesthetized with desflurane.

Background: Desflurane allows for rapid emergence and changes in depth of anaesthesia which makes it especially suitable for neuroanaesthesia. This study was designed to determine the effects of different desflurane concentrations on cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) in healthy children.

Methods: Twenty children, aged 1-7 years undergoing urological surgery were studied.

Cerebrovascular reactivity to carbon dioxide is preserved during hypocapnia in children anesthetized with 1.0 MAC, but not with 1.5 MAC desflurane.

Purpose: Maintenance of cerebrovascular reactivity to CO(2) (CCO(2)R) is important during neurosurgical anesthesia. This study was designed to determine the effect of different desflurane concentrations on CCO(2)R in children.

Methods: Children undergoing urological surgery were enrolled.