European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background: This research focuses on mitigating post-operative delirium (POD) in pediatric patients undergoing general anesthesia with sevoflurane. It particularly examines the efficacy of administering a low dose propofol bolus before extubation in a sample of 200 patients. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a low dose propofol bolus in reducing the incidence and severity of POD in children anesthetized with sevoflurane. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 200 pediatric patients who were undergoing surgical procedures with sevoflurane anesthesia. They were divided into two groups: one received a low dose propofol bolus before extubation, and the other served as a control. The incidence and severity of delirium were measured using standardized delirium assessment tools. Results: The comparative analysis drawn from the tables demonstrates a significant impact of propofol in reducing the incidence and severity of post-operative delirium (POD) when used alongside sevoflurane in pediatric anesthesia. The intervention group, receiving a low dose of propofol, showed a notable decrease in the incidence of POD, with a 50% reduction compared to the control group. This result was statistically significant, as indicated by an odds ratio of 0.4 and a p-value of 0.01. Moreover, the severity of delirium was substantially mitigated, with significant reductions particularly in moderate delirium cases, as evidenced by a decrease in incidence and shorter duration of delirium symptoms. These findings underscore the efficacy of propofol in enhancing recovery quality by not only reducing the occurrence of delirium but also diminishing its intensity, contributing to better overall outcomes in pediatric anesthesia. Conclusion: The study concludes that administering a low dose of propofol before extubation is effective in reducing the incidence and severity of post-operative delirium (POD) in pediatric patients. These findings offer valuable evidence supporting the incorporation of propofol into routine pediatric anesthesia protocols to enhance recovery outcomes. The study's results encourage further exploration and adaptation of this intervention in broader clinical settings.