A Clinical Study on the Effect of Sufentanil on Emergence Agitation in Preschool Children with Sevoflurane Anesthesia

Objective: To evaluate the effects of small dose of sufentanil and fentanyl on emergence agitation in paediatric patients undergoing sevoflurane anesthesia to understand the prevention effect of sufentanil on emergence agitation of preschool children. Methods: 80 preschool children undergoing sevoflurane anesthesia for repair of unilateral inguinal hernia were randomly divided into the group of sufentanil( group S,n = 40) and the group of fentanyl( group F,n = 40). 0. 15 μg /kg of sufentanil was given( iv) to group S and 1. 5 μg /kg of fentanyl to group F just before skin incision. Such related data were kept down and analyzed as the score of emergence agitation scale,the number of paediatric patients receiving additional fentanyl during surgery,the time for emergence,the time for staying at postanesthesia care unit( PACU) and perioperative adverse effects. Results: The scores of emergence agitation scale and the frequency of severe emergence agitation were significantly lower in group S than those in group F. There were markedly fewer paediatric patients in group S requiring additional fentanyl during and after surgery than in group F. The incidence of vomiting was significantly lower in group S than that in group F. Conclusion: Compared with fentanyl,sufentanil intravenously injected can remarkably decrease the incidence of emergence agitation in preschool children with general sevoflurane anaesthesia,without notable effect on emergence.