Anesthesia with sevoflurane and orotracheal intubation for pediatric ophthalmic surgery of medium length in day hospital

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the discharge rate of children undergoing ophthalmic surgery of medium length (69-120') in a day-hospital regime under general anesthesia with orotracheal intubation and using Sevoflurane as the only anesthetic agent. EXPERIMENTAL PROTOCOL: prospective study. SETTING: the study was carried out in the operating theatre of the Ophthalmic Clinic at Florence University. PATIENTS: 58 pediatric patients aged 2-10 years, ASA I-II, 13-34 kg. OPERATIONS: correction of strabismus, cataract, glaucoma, palpebral ptosis and intubation of lacrimal tracts. Parameters measure: Any signs of reactivity in the airways to Sevoflurane on induction or reawakening (cough, bronchospasm, laryngospasm and psychomotor agitation), hemodynamic variables (heart rate and NIBP); reawakening time (from turning off the vaporiser to extubation), discharge time from recovery room (SatO2 > or = 97% in ambient atmosphere), discharge time from hospital (stable vital signs, response to simple and complex commands). RESULTS: The mean reawakening time was 7 min, discharge time from the recovery room was 20 min, discharge time from the hospital 80% after four hours, 100% after six hours. No respiratory and/or cardiovascular complications were reported nor psychomotor agitation. CONCLUSIONS: General anesthesia with Sevoflurane and Atracurium was found to be a realistic and reliable technique in pediatric ophthalmic surgery of medium length performed in day hospital.