Effects of acetaminophen on postoperative emergence delirium in children undergoing epiblepharon correction

Lim, Youn Hee; Chin, Young Jhoon; Chung, Chan Jong; Choi, So Ron; Rhee, Won Ji

Clinical Research

Pediatric Anesthesia

Anesthesia and Pain Medicine 2010;5(3):255-259.
Published online July 31, 2010.

Effects of acetaminophen on postoperative emergence delirium in children undergoing epiblepharon correction

Youn Hee Lim, Young Jhoon Chin, Chan Jong Chung, So Ron Choi, Won Ji Rhee

Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Dong-A University Hospital, Busan, Korea. yjjin@dau.ac.kr

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Emergence delirium is a common problem after general anesthesia in children. Postoperative pain control reduces the incidence of emergence delirium. Opioids and NSAIDs have been successfully used to inhibit intraoperative and postoperative pain. Instead of them, acetaminophen is used to reduce side effects of opioids and NSAIDs. This study evaluated the effect of acetaminophen on emergence delirium after general anesthesia in children undergoing a epiblepharon correction.
METHODS
Sixty children, aged 1-10 years (ASA physical status I, II) undergoing epiblepharon correction, were enrolled in this study. Acetaminophen (group A) received 15 mg/kg of acetaminophen, control group (group C) received 1.5 ml/kg of normal saline. Anesthesia was induced with 2.0 mg/kg of ketamine and maintained by 2.0-3.0 vol% sevoflurane with N2O 1.5 L/min-O2 1.5 L/min. The delirium score was recorded at 10 minutes after arrival at recovery room by an independent observer using the four point scale of Aono.
RESULTS
There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding the time to extubation and discharge from the recovery room. The incidence of emergence delirium was 23% in group A and 32% in group C, but this did not have statistical significance. The incidence of vomiting was similar in both group.
CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative intravenous acetaminophen of 15 mg/kg application does not reduce the incidence of postoperative delirium in children undergoing epiblepharon correction.

Key Words: Acetaminophen, Pediatric anesthesia, Postoperative delirium