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Abstract

Background: Postoperative emergence agitation (EA) occurs in up to 80% of children undergoing general anesthesia(GA). Propofol was proposed as a safe and effective agent to reduce, prevent and eliminate Postoperative emergence agitation.
Objective: To assess the incidence of postoperative EA and the effect of Propofol as prophylactic agent
Patients & Methods: A randomized controlled clinical trial conducted at the Central Teaching Hospital of Pediatrics, during a period of 16 months included 100 pediatric patients less than 16 years of age and were scheduled for different surgeries under general anesthesia . Patients equally assigned into two groups to receive either 1 mg/kg Propofol intravenously at 7 minutes before recovery (Propofol group) or receiving 5 ml normal saline (saline group) as control.. All standard procedures and protocols of anesthesia were applied.
Results: The mean PAED score was significantly lower in Propofol group, (8.3 ± 2.4) compared to control group (12.8 ± 3.7) at 5 postoperative minutes, and continue to reduce at the next time; 10 and 15 minutes, (P<0.05). The overall incidence of EA in Propofol group was (14%) vs. (74%), in controls, the relative risk (RR) for   the incidence of EA at 5 minutes and 10 minutes was; 0.52 and 0.38, respectively, indicated a protective , prophylactic effect of Propofol (P<0.001).
Conclusions: Propofol was safe and effective agent for prophylaxis and prevention of postoperative emergence agitation. Age is the main risk factor for postoperative agitation,