The incidence of emergence agitation associated with desflurane anesthesia in children is reduced by fentanyl.

UNLABELLED: The rapid emergence and recovery from general anesthesia provided by desflurane is associated with a frequent incidence of emergence agitation in children. We sought to determine the mean effective dose of fentanyl that would significantly reduce the incidence of emergence agitation while preserving rapid recovery. Thirty-two children undergoing adenoidectomy received general anesthesia with desflurane and a dose of fentanyl (1.25, 1.87, 2.8, and 4.2 microg/kg) determined by the classic up-down method. Recovery characteristics, including time to extubation, recovery, hospital discharge, agitation, pain, and vomiting, were recorded. Demographics and recovery features were assessed by analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The mean effective dose of fentanyl to reduce agitation was calculated with the Dixon-Massey method to be 2.5 +/- 6.2 microg. There were no significant differences when treatment groups were compared for recovery criteria. Postoperative emesis occurred in 75% of patients. The results of this study demonstrate that a dose of 2.5 microg/kg of fentanyl is sufficient to prevent emergence agitation while preserving the rapid recovery associated with desflurane anesthesia in children undergoing adenoidectomy. IMPLICATIONS: A dose of 2.5 microg/kg of fentanyl prevents emergence agitation associated with desflurane anesthesia in children undergoing adenoidectomy without delaying emergence.