Abstract

Basharat Saleem*, Sadia Ali and Shazia Ashraf

ABSTRACT

Background: An area where sevoflurane might be expected to find increasing use is that of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion which is becoming more frequent in paediatric ambulatory surgery as this avoids some of the hazards of endotracheal intubation. Objective: To compare the acceptance characteristics and ease of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion with halothane and sevoflurane in pediatric patients undergoing short elective surgical procedures. Methods: Observational prospective study was conducted in Postgraduate Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Government Medical College, Srinagar (J&K). A profile of 100 patients were taken in the consideration for this studied. Patients receiving halothane designated “H” (n=50) were compared with patients receiving sevoflurane designated “S” (n=50). Patients in the age group of 1-12 years belonging to ASA I and II undergoing short elective operative procedures under general anesthesia were included in the study. Anaesthesia was induced using face mask of appropriate size and Jackson-Rees circuit or non-re breathing circuit as per the weight of the patient, with 50% nitrous oxide in 50% oxygen and incremental concentrations of the volatile anesthetic agent to be studied. Results: The mean time required from start of induction to onset of regular respiration (seconds) in group H was 79.08+10.66 and in group S was 43.24+11.4. The results were statistically significant with a p value of < 0.05. The mean time required from the start of induction to loss of eye lash reflex (seconds) in group H was 109.28+10.57 and in group S was 72.64+11.30. The results were statistically significant with a p value of < 0.05. The mean time required from start of induction to jaw relaxation (seconds) in group H was 235.90+17.64 and in group S was 149.76+17.68. The results were statistically significant with a p value of < 0.05. The mean time required from start of induction to centralization of eye balls (seconds) in group H was 252.26+17.10 and in group S was 166.62+17.93. The results were statistically significant with a p value of < 0.05. In both the groups, condition at LMA insertion and patient response were found satisfactory, LMA was inserted successfully in first attempt in 49 patients in group H and 47 patients in group S. Conclusion: Sevoflurane had a better hemodynamic stability. Hence, we conclude that sevoflurane is a suitable alternative to halothane for inhalational induction of anaesthesia especially in children.