Is there an appropriate bispectral index for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in spontaneous breathing in the pediatric patient

Abstract Objective The bispectral index (BIS) values that predict appropriate anaesthetic level to perform an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in spontaneous breathing are not well established in Pediatrics. The objective of this study is to determine whether it is possible to find an appropriate, less profound, BIS level in the pediatric patient that would enable an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE) to be performed in spontaneous breathing without causing gag reflex or motor response. Materials and methods A prospective study was designed and included 61 patients from 12 to 167 months old, and an ASA I–II who needed a diagnostic UGE. The study was conducted from October 2011 to March 2013. Intervention UGE performed with an anaesthetic protocol using propofol. The vital signs measured were heart and respiratory rate, pulse oximetry, non-invasive blood pressure. The sedation level score (Ramsay scale) and BIS values were also measured. The first attempt was performed at BIS level 60–69, and this was not feasible, then the anaesthetic was deepened and a second attempt made at BIS level 50–59. If this was still not possible a deeper anaesthetic level was then achieved and a third attempt made at BIS level 45–49. Variables of interest were: effective BIS level (eBIS), BIS level at which UGE was performed without gag reflex or motor response; propofol total dose (mg kg −1 ), induction time (time from onset of sedation to effective start of UGE). A logistic regression analysis was performed to obtain an equation to estimate the possibility of UGE success. Results The distribution of the patient was: male 40%, female 60%, with 11 (18%) patients under 36 months. The statistical values are expressed as mean and standard deviation, with following results; age (months): 95.9 ± 45.86; weight (kg): 30.5 ± 14.68; effective BIS: 56.41 ± 4.63; induction time (minutes): 11.07 ± 2.69; total propofol dose (per kg): 4.86 ± 1.21. An additional intra-procedure propofol bolus was given in 38 patients (62%), with 7/38 of them (18%) due to movement, and 31/38 (82%) due to BIS level increase. No statistical differences were found in effective BIS level between older and younger patients. Conclusions According to the results, BIS levels below 59 predict UGE success, with 72.13% sensitivity and 88.06% specificity in the pediatric population studied.