The effects of brief sevoflurane-nitrous oxide anaesthesia upon children's postoperative cognition and behaviour

Millar, K., Asbury, A.J., Bowley, C., Hosey, M., Musiello, T. and Welbury, R.R. (2006) The effects of brief sevoflurane-nitrous oxide anaesthesia upon children's postoperative cognition and behaviour. Anaesthesia, 61(6), pp. 541-547. (doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2044.2006.04662.x)

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Abstract

This study assessed the effects of brief sevoflurane-nitrous oxide anaesthesia on children's postoperative cognition, behaviour and physical morbidity. Forty-eight children aged 5–10 years undergoing anaesthesia without premedication for multiple dental extractions, and 48 control children, performed tests of choice reaction time, attention, psychomotor co-ordination and memory pre-operatively (baseline), prior to discharge and at 48 h (anaesthesia group only). Physical and psychological morbidity were recorded at 1 week. Mean choice reaction time and psychomotor co-ordination were significantly impaired postoperatively but had recovered at 48 h. However, measures of performance variability suggested the presence of residual impairment. Profound retrograde amnesia affected postoperative and 48-h recall of pictorial stimuli presented prior to anaesthesia, but recognition memory was unimpaired. Attention-seeking, tantrums, crying and nightmares were occurring more frequently in some 8–20% of children 1 week after the procedure.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Musiello, Mrs Toni and Asbury, Dr Adrian and Welbury, Professor Richard and Hosey, Dr Marie and Millar, Professor Keith
Authors: Millar, K., Asbury, A.J., Bowley, C., Hosey, M., Musiello, T., and Welbury, R.R.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Clinical Specialities
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Dental School
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
Journal Name:Anaesthesia
ISSN:0003-2409
ISSN (Online):1365-2044
Published Online:12 May 2006

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