Use of ketofol to control emergence agitation in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy

Abstract

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of ketofol administration in controlling emergence agitation (EA) after sevoflurane-based anesthesia in children undergoing adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy. Subjects and methods: This double-blinded randomized study involved 90 children (3–6 years) scheduled for elective adenotonsillectomy or adenoidectomy. They were randomly assigned to receive 10 ml of normal saline (control group, C) or, 1 mg/kg propofol in 10 ml saline (group P) or ketofol as 1 mg/kg propofol and 0.25 mg/kg ketamine in 10 ml saline (group K) 10 min before the end of surgery. In PACU, sedation, behavior, pain and severity of EA were assessed using modified Aldrete score, Aono’s scale, Objective Pain Score (OPS) and Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium (PAED) scale, respectively. Results: In ketofol group, OPS was significantly lower compared to propofol and control groups. Recovery criteria were in favor of ketofol and propofol groups including longer time to eye opening (p < 0.001) and time to Aldrete score ⩾ 9 (p = 0.001). Time to discharge from PACU was comparable in the three groups (p = 0.079). EA was significantly more frequent in the control group (p < 0.001), but comparable in ketofol and propofol groups. PAED score was significantly higher in control group compared to ketofol and propofol groups. Ketofol and propofol preserved hemodynamic stability. Conclusion: Ketofol provides a promising new option for controlling emergence agitation with adequate postoperative sedative and analgesic effect, good recovery criteria and hemodynamic stability compared to propofol and control groups in children undergoing adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy.