Korean J Anesthesiol.  2007 Nov;53(5):598-601. 10.4097/kjae.2007.53.5.598.

The Effect of Ondansetron on the Emergence Agitation after Sevoflurane Anesthesia in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Tonsillectomy

• Lee KM
• Kang DH
• Lee SE
• Kim YH
• Lim SH
• Lee JH
• Cheong SH
• Choe YK
• Kim YJ
• Shin CM

• KMID: 1937373
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2007.53.5.598

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Emergence agitation is a common problem after sevoflurane anesthesia in children. Tropisetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, significantly reduces the incidence of emergence agitation after sevoflurane anesthesia. This study evaluated the effect of ondansetron on emergence agitation after sevoflurane anesthesia in children undergoing a tonsillectomy.
METHODS
Eighty children, aged 3-9 years (ASA physical status I) undergoing tonsillectomy, were randomly enrolled in this study. Group O received 0.1 mg/kg of ondansetron, and group S received 0.1 ml/kg of saline during the operation. Anesthesia was induced with 5 vol% sevoflurane and maintained with 2-2.5 vol% sevoflurane. The agitation score was recorded when they arrived at the postanesthesia care unit, and 10 minutes after that.
RESULTS
The incidence of emergence agitation was 30% in group O and 27.5% in group S at arrival (P = 1.00). Ten minutes after arrival, the incidence was 12.5% in group O and 25% in group S (P = 0.25).
CONCLUSIONS
Ondansetron 0.1 mg/kg does not reduce the incidence of emergence agitation after sevoflurane in children.

Keyword

emergence agitation; ondansetron; pediatric; sevoflurane

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia*
Child
Dihydroergotamine*
Humans
Incidence
Ondansetron*
Serotonin 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists
Tonsillectomy*
Dihydroergotamine
Ondansetron
Serotonin 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists