Propofol-ketamine vs propofol-fentanyl for sedation during pediatric upper gastrointestinal endoscopy

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of propofol-ketamine with propofol-fentanyl in pediatric patients undergoing diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE). METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, double blinded comparison of propofol-ketamine with propofol-fentanyl for sedation in patients undergoing elective UGIE. Ninety ASA I-II, aged 1 to 16-year-old patients were included in the study. Heart rate (HR), systolic arterial pressure, peripheral oxygen saturation, respiratory rate (RR) and Ramsey sedation scores of all patients were recorded perioperatively. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either propofol-ketamine (PK; n = 46) or propofol-fentanyl (PF; n = 44). PK group received 1 mg x kg(-1) ketamine + 1.2 mg x kg(-1) propofol, and PF group received 1 microg x kg(-1) fentanyl + 1.2 mg x kg(-1) propofol for sedation induction. Additional propofol (0.5-1 mg x kg(-1)) was administered when a patient showed discomfort in either group. RESULTS: The number of patients who needed additional propofol in the first minute after sedation induction was eight in Group PK (17%), and 22 in Group PF (50%) (P < 0.01) and those who did not need additional propofol throughout the endoscopy were 14 in Group PK (30%) and three in Group PF (7%) (P < 0.01). HR and RR values after induction in Group PF were significantly lower than Group PK (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Both PK and PF combinations provided effective sedation in pediatric patients undergoing UGIE, but the PK combination resulted in stable hemodynamics and deeper sedation though more side effects.     

Propofol-ketamine mixture for anesthesia in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac catheterization

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety of a propofol-ketamine mixture to induce and maintain anesthesia in spontaneously breathing pediatric patents during cardiac catheterization. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: Departments of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Anesthesiology, and Pediatric Anesthesiology in a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-five children aged 6 months to 16 years with ASA grade II to III undergoing cardiac catheterization. INTERVENTIONS: Continuous intravenous infusion of a mixture of propofol (4 mg/mL) and ketamine (2 mg/mL) with spontaneous ventilation. The infusion rate was changed and additional boluses of propofol or/and ketamine were given as needed. Hemodynamic, respiratory, and other variables were recorded during the procedure and recovery. RESULTS: Mean dose of ketamine was 26 +/- 8.3 microg/kg/min and of propofol, 68.3 +/- 21.7 microg/kg/min. Changes in heart rate and mean arterial pressure of more than 20% from baseline were observed in 4 and 5 patients, respectively. A transient reduction in oxygen saturation because of hypoventilation was observed in 3 patients and responded to oxygen administration and manual assisted ventilation. No other complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The propofol-ketamine mixture is a safe, practical alternative for general anesthesia in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.     

Deep sedation with intravenous infusion of combined propofol and ketamine during dressing changes and whirlpool bath in patients with severe epidermolysis bullosa

Continuous i.v. infusion of propofol, or propofol plus ketamine for deep sedation and analgesia was carried out in two patients with severe epidermolysis bullosa (EB) during extensive dressing changes and deep whirlpool baths. Intermittent small doses of narcotics were given as supplement for pain relief as needed. Both patients had typical features of severe EB, including extremity contractures, severe digit deformity, difficult airways, extensive blisters and broken skin with denuded areas and severe wound infections. SpO(2) was roughly estimated by holding the probe around the earlobe periodically and no other monitors could be applied because of the skin conditions and the settings of the procedures. Retrospective anesthesia record review showed that the combined propofol and ketamine infusions provided satisfactory sedation with significantly reduced narcotic requirements compared with propofol alone. There were no noticeable side effects when ketamine was added. Ketamine appears to be a good addition to propofol and narcotics to provide sedation and analgesia when there are great concerns for respiration depression, apnea, difficult pain management and potential unstable hemodynamics during dressing changes and whirlpool baths in severe EB patients.     

Propofol and remifentanil for deep sedation in children undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a combination of propofol and remifentanil deep sedation in spontaneously breathing children less than 7 years of age undergoing upper and/or lower gastrointestinal endoscopy. METHODS: The effect of propofol and remifentanil sedation was prospectively studied in 42 unpremedicated children undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy. Anesthesia was induced with a combination of sevoflurane, nitrous oxide and oxygen. Anesthesia was maintained with an infusion of propofol (50-80 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1)) and remifentanil (0.1 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1)). Demographic data, heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation were recorded every 5 min for each child. In addition, recovery and discharge times were recorded. RESULTS: All 42 procedures were completed with no complications. The combination of propofol and remifentanil resulted in a decrease in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate. There was no respiratory depression or oxygen desaturation in any child. A bolus of propofol (1 mg x kg(-1)) was necessary in one child for excessive movement. No patient experienced any side effects in the recovery period. CONCLUSION: The combination of propofol and remifentanil for sedation in children undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy can be considered safe, effective and acceptable.     

Experience with a propofol-ketamine mixture for sedation during pediatric orthopedic surgery

Background: Various combinations of propofol and ketofol have been described for the provision of procedural sedation in both adults and children. Utilization of ‘ketofol’ for deep sedation during prolonged pediatric orthopedic procedures has not previously been described. Methods: During an orthopedic aid trip, a 1:1 mixture of propofol and ketamine (200 mg of each drawn up to 22 ml) was utilized to provide deep sedation or general anesthesia as an adjunct to regional analgesia for lower limb surgery. Details for 18 patients having a total of 19 procedures were recorded with a record of intraoperative and postoperative parameters including initial bolus doses and infusion rates of ketofol required to produce deep sedation. Results: Mean operating time was 153.7 min (range 64–241 min). The mean initial bolus dose of ketofol was 0.19 ml·kg^?1 (range 0.1–0.5 ml·kg^?1) or 1.7 mg·kg^?1 each of propofol and ketamine (range 0.9–4.5 mg·kg^?1). The mean upper limit of the infusion rate required to maintain deep sedation was 0.19 ml·kg^?1·h^?1 (range 0.07–0.26 ml·kg^?1·h^?1) or 1.7 mg·kg^?1·h^?1 (range 0.6–2.4 mg·kg^?1·h^?1) and the mean lower limit of the infusion rate was 0.08 ml·kg^?1·h^?1 (range 0.02–0.13 ml·kg^?1·h^?1) or 0.7 mg·kg^?1·h^?1 (range 0.2–1.2 mg·kg^?1·h^?1). The mean initial bolus dose of ketofol was 0.19 ml·kg^?1 (range 0.1–0.5 ml·kg^?1). There were no episodes of hypo‐ or hypertension or of desaturation. Mean time to eye opening after infusion cessation was 5.1 min (median 2 min; range 0–17 min). Conclusion: Ketofol successfully produced deep sedation for prolonged pediatric orthopedic procedures in conjunction with regional analgesia. Further research to confirm its safety and applicability to a wider range of settings is required.     

Comparison of propofol-fentanyl with propofol-fentanyl-ketamine combination in pediatric patients undergoing interventional radiology procedures

Background: With an increase in the frequency of interventional radiology procedures in pediatrics, there has been a corresponding increase in demand for procedural sedation to facilitate them . The purpose of our study was to compare the frequency of adverse effects, sedation level, patient recovery characteristics in pediatric patients receiving intravenous propofol fentanyl combination with or without ketamine for interventional radiology procedures. Our main hypothesis was that the addition of ketamine would decrease propofol/fentanyl associated desaturation. Methods and materials: Sixty consenting American Society of Anesthesia physical status I–III pediatric patients undergoing interventional radiology procedures under sedation were studied according to a randomized, double‐blinded, institutional review board approved protocol. Group 1 received propofol 0.5 mg·kg^?1 + fentanyl 1 μg·kg^?1 + ketamine 0.5 mg·kg^?1, and group 2 received propofol 0.5 mg·kg^?1 + fentanyl 1 μg·kg^?1 + same volume of %0.9 NaCl intravenously. Results: While apnea was not observed in any of the groups, there were three cases (10%) in group 1, and nine cases (30%) in group 2 with oxygen desaturation (P = 0.052). In group 1, 12 (40%) patients and, in group 2, 21 (70%) patients required supplemental propofol during the procedure (P = 0.021). There was no evidence for difference between groups in terms of other side effects except nystagmus. Conclusions: In conclusion, addition of low dose ketamine to propofol‐fentanyl combination decreased the risk of desaturation and it also decreased the need for supplemental propofol dosage in pediatric patients at interventional radiology procedures.     

Electroencephalographic Narcotrend Index monitoring during procedural sedation and analgesia in children

Background:  The electroencephalographic Narcotrend Index (NI) may potentially help to titrate sedative medication during diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in children.
Methods:  With local ethics committee approval and informed parental consent, 31 patients, aged 8.9 ± 4.3 years, scheduled for elective upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were enrolled in this prospective, double-blinded observational study. Initially, patients received a single dose of intravenous piritramide 0.1 mg·kg⁻¹, followed by propofol 2 mg·kg⁻¹ and, if necessary, additional propofol doses (0.5 mg·kg⁻¹) to achieve and maintain a level of deep sedation throughout the procedure. Sedation was assessed by the University of Michigan Sedation Scale (UMSS). We investigated the relationship between depth of sedation, and the NI, and the classical EEG parameters (cEEG), total EEG power (Power), spectral edge (SEF) and median frequency, and relative power in the beta, alpha, theta and delta bands. The performance of the NI and cEEG parameters was evaluated by prediction probability ( P _K), receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and Spearman rank order correlation analysis.
Results:  Mean P _K values for NI (0.88) vs UMSS were higher than for the other cEEG parameters, except for Power (0.82) and SEF(0.81). Spearman correlation analysis revealed superiority of the NI over all cEEG parameters. The area under the curve for the NI was 0.93, which was superior to all other EEG parameters beside Power (0.86) and relative power in alpha (0.82).
Conclusions:  The results of this study suggest that the NI may be an objective nondisruptive tool for assessment of hypnotic depth in children under propofol-induced procedural sedation.     

The 'dark' side of sedation: 12 years of office-based pediatric deep sedation for electroretinography in the dark

Objectives: Analyze pediatric ERG data for adverse events, interventions, and outcomes of propofol sedations performed in near‐complete darkness. Aim: To demonstrate that deep sedation with propofol for ERG can be performed efficiently and safely in children in near‐total darkness. Background: Full‐field electroretinography (ERG) is a valuable tool for the diagnosis of vision loss in children. The ERG measures the electrical activity of the retina. In children, ERG quality significantly improves with deep sedation by allowing easier eye electrode placement and decreasing motion artifacts. As this procedure must be performed in darkness, administering sedation imposes unique challenges. Methods and materials: ERGs are performed outside of the operating room in our hospital’s electrophysiology suite. IVs are placed, and patients are allowed to adapt to complete darkness. An anesthesiologist then administers propofol sedation in the dark with the aid of a red‐filter light source and monitor light shields. Data were collected on 379 patients (411 ERGs) performed from 1996 to 2008. These records were reviewed and analyzed for demographic, medical, and anesthetic data. Results: Propofol sedation resulted in an ERG completion rate of 99.5%. During sedation, 8.5% (35) of patients experienced minor respiratory complications such as airway obstruction that resulted in an oxygen saturation <90%. A total of 9.7% (40) of patients required minor airway interventions such as a chin lift. Conclusions: We demonstrated that pediatric sedation is a safe, efficient, and a cost‐effective method for measuring ERGs in a challenging environment. The incidence of minor complications is low and appears similar to other studies of propofol sedation.     

Remifentanil and propofol for sedation in children and young adolescents undergoing diagnostic flexible bronchoscopy

Flexible fibreoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) has become a useful diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in children. We investigated 26 patients (3-14 years) for FOB using a new sedation strategy. All patients received oral premedication and inhalation of topical anaesthetic. Sedation for bronchoscopy was achieved with a continuous infusion of remifentanil and intermittent boluses of propofol. Propofol injection was repeated if sedation was inadequate. Sedation could be successfully performed in all children without adverse effects. Endtidal CO2 concentration and arterial oxygen saturation remained stable throughout the study. All children were awake 5+/-1.3 min after stopping remifentanil infusion. Sedation with remifentanil/propofol is a new sedation strategy for diagnostic flexible paediatric bronchoscopy in children with spontaneous ventilation.     

Ketamine disposition in children presenting for procedural sedation and analgesia in a children's emergency department

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe ketamine pharmacokinetics in children to simulate time-concentration profiles to predict duration of concentrations associated with anesthesia, arousal and analgesia. METHODS: Children presenting for painful procedures in the Emergency Dept were given ketamine 1-1.5 mgxkg(-1) i.v. Blood was assayed for ketamine on 3-6 occasions (median 3) over the subsequent 14-152 min (median 28.5). A population pharmacokinetic analysis was undertaken by using nonlinear mixed effects models (NONMEM). Simulation was used to predict time-concentration profiles in this cohort RESULTS: There were 188 observations from 54 children (age 8.3 sd 3.5 years, weight 32.5 sd 15.6 kg). A two-compartment (central, peripheral) linear disposition model fitted data better than a one-compartment model. Population parameter estimates and their between subject variability (BSV), standardized to a 70-kg person using allometric models, were central volume (V1) 38.7 (BSV 64%) l.70 kg(-1), peripheral volume of distribution (V2) 102 (51.7%) l.70 kg(-1), clearance (CL) 90 (38.1%) l.h(-1) 70 kg(-1) and intercompartment clearance (Q) 215 (19%) l.h(-1) 70 kg(-1). At 10 min half of the children given 1 mgxkg(-1) will have a serum concentration below 0.75 mgxl(-1). This is a concentration associated with 'awakening' in adults. However, almost all the children will still have a serum concentration above 0.1 mgxl(-1), a level associated with analgesia in adults. CONCLUSIONS: Ketamine 1 mgxkg(-1) i.v. provides satisfactory serum concentrations for children undergoing sedation for painful procedures of <5-min duration and produces concentrations associated with analgesic effect for more than 10 min. Clearance increases with decreasing age in children. The relationship between serum concentration and effect is poorly defined in children.     

Comparison of propofol versus propofol‐ketamine combination for sedation during spinal anesthesia in children: randomized clinical trial of efficacy and safety

Objectives: This study was designed to compare the efficacy and safety of propofol vs propofol‐ketamine combination for sedation during pediatric spinal anesthesia. Methods: Forty children, aged 3–8 undergoing spinal anesthesia for lower abdominal surgeries were included. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups. Group 1 received propofol bolus of 2 mg·kg^?1 followed by an infusion of 4 mg·kg^?1·h^?1. Group 2 received a combination of 1.6 mg·kg^?1 propofol and 0.4 mg·kg^?1 ketamine followed by an infusion of 3.2 mg·kg^?1·h^?1 and 0.8 mg·kg^?1·h^?1, respectively. The infusion rate was titrated to keep the child sedated at University of Michigan Sedation Score of 3. The heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation were recorded every 5 min. The episodes of spontaneous body movements and requirement of supplemental sedation were recorded. The postoperative recovery was assessed by modified Aldrette score. Results: Seventeen patients in group 1 and four patients in group 2 (P < 0.001) required extra boluses of study drug to prevent movements during lumbar puncture. Four patients experienced respiratory depression and three airway obstruction in group 1 when compared to one patient each in group 2 (P < 0.05). The recovery time was similar in both groups. None of the patient had postoperative nausea/vomiting or psychomimetic reactions. Conclusions: Propofol‐ketamine combination provided better quality of sedation with lesser complications than propofol alone and thus can be a good option for sedation during spinal anesthesia in children.     

Unconscious sedation in children: a prospective multi-arm clinical trial

BACKGROUND: We report the evaluation of six sedative-hypnotic and analgesic combinations administered to children undergoing brief periods of unconscious (or deep) sedation for painful procedures. METHODS: In a prospective, open-label, randomized, controlled study of six groups of 27-30 children each, patients were randomly assigned to receive propofol or methohexital for sedation-hypnosis, and one of three incremental doses of fentanyl or remifentanil, respectively. RESULTS: An infusion of methohexital (10 mg.ml-1) combined with remifentanil (6.67 micro g.ml-1) provided significantly shorter geometric mean times to initial emergence, to eye-opening and to discharge, and required airway interventions that were not significantly more frequent than all groups sedated with propofol and fentanyl. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of methohexital and remifentanil appears to be a satisfactory method for unconcious sedation for short painful procedures in children.     

Local anaesthesia and propofol-fentanyl sedation for carotid artery surgery

Background: In patients undergoing carotid artery surgery with local anaesthesia (LA), a sedative / analgesic pharmacological supplement is appropriate in most cases in order to provide comfort. This adjunct should not preclude continuous clinical neurological monitoring. The aim was to investigate if a combination of fentanyl and propofol to supplement LA would provide comfort for the patient, allow continuous clinical neurological monitoring and absence of difficulties for the anaesthetist, and good conditions for surgery, including insertion of a shunt if this should become necessary. Methods: During a 1-year period low doses of propofol and fentanyl were used to supplement LA in 36 cases of carotid artery surgery in 34 consecutive patients. A shunt was only used if neurological dysfunction occurred. Data on haemodynamics, pulmonary gas exchange, clinical neurological monitoring, and subjective opinions from patients, surgeons and anaesthetists were obtained. Morbidity within 30 days was documented. Results: Conversion to general anaesthesia was undertaken in one patient, previously operated on the same artery, who became unconscious due to a stroke during manipulation of the artery before arteriotomy. No other adverse outcome was found within 30 days. In the remaining 35 cases the procedures were carried out under LA. Stump pressures below 50 mmHg were found in 17/35 cases. Intraoperative neurological dysfunction was detected in 10/35 cases (stump pressures between 23 and 60 mmHg). Shunting was easily performed, and rapidly relieved the neurologic symptoms in all these patients. Intraoperative respiratory and haemodynamic control was satisfactory. Ease of performance, including clinical neurological monitoring, was acknowledged by both anaesthetists and surgeons, and all 33 patients (35 operations) who were accessible for a postoperative interview stated that they would prefer the same regimen in the case of further surgery. Conclusion: The number of cases in this open, uncontrolled study does not permit an evaluation of this anaesthetic and sedative technique in terms of neurological and cardiac outcome. Thus, we simply want to inform about our positive experiences regarding patient acceptance and ease of performance in all relevant respects when fentanyl and propofol are used to supplement LA for carotid artery surgery.     

Evaluation of propofol for repeated prolonged deep sedation in children undergoing proton radiation therapy

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and sufficiencyof a fixed dose rate propofol infusion for repeated prolongeddeep sedation in children for proton radiation therapy (PRT). Methods: With ERB approval, we recorded anaesthesia monitoring data inchildren undergoing repeated prolonged propofol sedation forPRT. Sedation was introduced with a single bolus of i.v. midazolam0.1 mg kg^–1 followed by repeated small boluses of propofoluntil sufficient depth of sedation was obtained. Sedation wasmaintained with fixed dose rate propofol infusion of 10 mg kg^–1h^–1 in all patients up to the end of the radiation procedure.Patient characteristics, number and duration of sedation, propofolinduction dose, necessity to alter propofol infusion rate, andheart rate, mean arterial pressure, respiratory rate were notedat the end of the radiation procedure before cessation of thepropofol infusion. Data are mean (SD) or range (median) as appropriate. Results: Eighteen children aged from 1.4 to 4.2 yr (2.6 yr) had 27.6(SD 2.0) (497 in total) radiation procedures within 44.1 (4.0)days lasting 55.7 (8.8) min. Propofol bolus dose for induction,monitoring, and positioning was 3.7 (1.0) mg kg^–1. Propofolbolus requirements were quite stable over the successive weeksof treatment and variability was larger between individualsthan over time. In none of the children did propofol infusionrate need to be changed from the pre-set 10 mg kg^–1 h^–1flow rate because of haemodynamic state, respiratory conditionsor inadequate anaesthesia. Conclusions: Repeated prolonged deep sedation over several weeks in veryyoung children using a fixed rate propofol infusion was safeand adequate for all patients.     

Safe pediatric procedural sedation and analgesia by anesthesiologists for elective procedures: A clinical practice statement from the European Society for Paediatric Anaesthesiology

The growing number of medical procedures performed in children that require cooperation of patients, lack of movement, anxiolysis or/and analgesia triggers the increased need for procedural sedation. This document presents the consensus statement of the European Society for Paediatric Anaesthesiology about the principles connected with the safe management of procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) by anaesthesiologists for elective procedures in children. It does not aim to provide a legal statement on how and by whom PSA should be performed. The document highlights that any staff taking part in sedation of children must be appropriately trained with the required competencies and must be able to demonstrate regularly that they have maintained their knowledge, skills and clinical experience. The main goal of creating this document was to reflect the opinions of the community of the paediatric anaesthesiologists in Europe regarding how PSA for paediatric patients should be organized to make it safe.     

A comparative study to evaluate the effect of honey dressing and silver sulfadiazene dressing on wound healing in burn patients

To compare the effect of honey dressing and silver-sulfadiazene (SSD) dressing on wound healing in burn patients. Patients (n=78) of both sexes, with age group between 10 and 50 years and with first and second degree of burn of less than 50% of TBSA (Total body surface area) were included in the study, over a period of 2 years (2006-08). After stabilization, patients were randomly attributed into two groups: ‘honey group’ and ‘SSD group’. Time elapsed since burn was recorded. After washing with normal saline, undiluted pure honey was applied over the wounds of patients in the honey group (n=37) and SSD cream over the wounds of patients in SSD group (n=41), everyday. Wound was dressed with sterile gauze, cotton pads and bandaged. Status of the wound was assessed every third and seventh day and on the day of completion of study. Patients were followed up every fortnight till epithelialization. The bacteriological examination of the wound was done every seventh day. The mean age for case (honey group) and control (SSD group) was 34.5 years and 28.5 years, respectively. Wound swab culture was positive in 29 out of 36 patients who came within 8 hours of burn and in all patients who came after 24 hours. The average duration of healing in patients treated with honey and SSD dressing at any time of admission was 18.16 and 32.68 days, respectively. Wound of all those patients (100%) who reported within 1 hour became sterile with honey dressing in less than 7 days while none with SSD. All of the wounds became sterile in less than 21 days with honey, while tthis was so in only 36.5% with SSD treated wounds. The honey group included 33 patients reported within 24 hour of injury, and 26 out of them had complete outcome at 2 months of follow-up, while numbers for the SSD group were 32 and 12. Complete outcome for any admission point of time after 2 months was noted in 81% and 37% of patients in the honey group and the SSD group. Honey dressing improves wound healing, makes the wound sterile in lesser time, has a better outcome in terms of prevention of hypertrophic scarring and post-burn contractures, and decreases the need of debridement irrespective of time of admission, when compared to SSD dressing.     

Appropriate method of administration of propofol, fentanyl, and ketamine for patient-controlled sedation and analgesia during extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy

Purpose. The aim of this study was to identify the appropriate method for administering propofol, fentanyl, and ketamine (PFK) for patient-controlled sedation and analgesia (PCSA) during extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Methods. Twenty-one unpremedicated patients were randomly assigned to three groups that received different drug administration regimens. (group 1: low loading dose and high demand bolus, group 2: high loading dose and demand bolus, group 3: high loading dose and low demand bolus). Results. The patients in all groups were hemodynamically stable during ESWL. Oxygen desaturation was recognized in all groups, but was avoided by 2 l·min⁻¹ of oxygen supply via a nasal prong. The total administration dose of the drugs was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in group 2 than in groups 1 and 3. The median level of sedation was the same, but the episodes of oversedation were not recognized in group 3 (P < 0.05). A significant difference in the frequency of episodes of oversedation was found between groups 2 and 3 (P < 0.05). The results were good or excellent for almost all patients, and were assessed as fair by only one patient in group 2. Conclusion. We concluded that the method used for group 3 is the most appropriate for administering PFK for PCSA during ESWL. Received for publication on June 23, 1999; accepted on December 7, 1999     

Deep propofol sedation for vacuum-assisted bite-block immobilization in children undergoing proton radiation therapy of cranial tumors

BACKGROUND: Vacuum-assisted bite-block immobilization of the head is a reliable technique for reproducible precise head positioning as used for proton radiation in adults. We report preliminary experience using deep propofol sedation without an artificial airway in children undergoing proton radiation of cranial tumors requiring vacuum-assisted bite-block immobilization. METHODS: Sedation was started with a bolus of i.v. midazolam followed by repeated small boluses of propofol as required to tolerate bite-block insertion and patient positioning. Sedation was maintained by continuous propofol infusion until removal of the bite block. Oxygen was administered by a nasal cannula. SpO2, endtidal CO2 taken at the nose and respiratory adverse events such as coughing, bucking, airway obstruction, regurgitation or aspiration were recorded. Data are mean+/-sd. RESULTS: Ten children aged 2.6+/-0.8 years were treated to date. For each child, cumulative 26.7+/-1.9 radiation fractions were administered. Propofol dose administered for induction, bite-block insertion and patient positioning was 3.9+/-0.5 mg.kg(-1). Time from insertion to removal of the bite block lasted 48.3+/-6.2 min. Endtidal CO2 values were 5.6+/-0.8 kPa (43+/-7 mmHg) and SpO2 values were 98.3+/-1.9% with spontaneous breathing, supplemental oxygen and bite block inserted. No respiratory adverse events occurred during the 267 sedation procedures performed. CONCLUSION: Deep propofol sedation without the use of an artificial airway is an interesting technique for vacuum-assisted bite-block immobilization in young children undergoing precise radiation therapy of cranial tumors. However, simultaneous individual anesthetic challenges require pediatric anesthesiologists highly experienced with the pediatric airway, clinical alertness and closed monitoring.