The effect of fentanyl and clonidine on early postoperative negative behavior in children: a double-blind placebo controlled trial.

Background: Early negative postoperative behavior (e-PONB) is common in children and manifests itself as emergence agitation (EA), emergence delirium (ED), and pain. The objective of this prospective double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was to determine whether IV clonidine or IV fentanyl prior to surgery modifies e-PONB in children.

Methods: Ninety children scheduled for subumbilical surgery under sevoflurane anesthesia supplemented with regional anesthesia were randomized to either receive IV clonidine 2 mcg·kg(-1) , IV fentanyl 2 mcg·kg(-1) or placebo (IV saline) before surgery.

Emergence agitation in preschool children: double-blind, randomized, controlled trial comparing sevoflurane and isoflurane anesthesia.

Background: This randomized, double-blind controlled trial was conducted to determine whether the association of sevoflurane for induction and isoflurane for anesthesia maintenance resulted in a lower incidence of postoperative agitation compared with sevoflurane as single agent.

Methods: After Institute Ethics Committee's approval and parental written informed consent, 128 unpremedicated children (1-6 years), ASA I-II, scheduled for elective subumbilical surgery were enrolled. After induction with 8% sevoflurane, patients were randomly allocated to receive sevoflurane or isoflurane 1-1.

Randomized controlled trial comparing the laryngeal tube and the laryngeal mask in pediatric patients.

Background: The laryngeal tube (LT) is a supraglottic ventilatory device used in adults. However, there is limited information about LT use in pediatric patients. This randomized controlled study compares LT with laryngeal mask (LMA) for airway management during spontaneous or assisted ventilation and during fiberoptic laryngoscopy in children.

Anaesthesia with sevoflurane in children: nitrous oxide does not increase postoperative vomiting.

Background: Nitrous oxide (N2O) has been associated with postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), but some studies show conflicting data. The aim of this study was to assess whether the combination of N2O/sevoflurane, in paediatric general anaesthesia, increases the incidence of vomiting in the 24 h following surgery compared with sevoflurane alone.

Methods: One hundred and fourteen children, aged 1-10 years, who underwent testicle and inguinal hernia surgery, were randomized to receive one of the following two anaesthetic regimens: sevoflurane with 70% N2O (group A) or sevoflurane alone (group B).