Spectral entropy monitoring allowed lower sevoflurane concentration and faster recovery in children

Abstract

Background: Anesthetic titration using spectral entropy monitoring reduces anesthetic requirements and shortens recovery in adult surgical patients. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of entropy monitoring on end-tidal sevoflurane concentration and recovery characteristics in pediatric patients undergoing sevoflurane anesthesia.

Methods: Seventy-eight children (aged 3-12 years) scheduled for a tonsillectomy and/or an adenoidectomy were randomly divided into one of two groups: standard practice (Standard) or entropy-guided (Entropy). In the Standard group, sevoflurane was adjusted to maintain the heart rate and systolic blood pressure (BP) within 20% of the baseline values. In the Entropy group, sevoflurane was adjusted to achieve a state entropy of 40-50. We compared the entropy values, end-tidal sevoflurane concentration and recovery times between groups.

Results: During maintenance of anesthesia, the entropy and BP values were higher in the Entropy group (P<0.05). The end-tidal sevoflurane concentration during maintenance was lower in the Entropy group (2.2 (0.3) vol%) compared with the Standard group (2.6 (0.4) vol%) (P<0.05). Recovery times were faster in the Entropy group (P<0.05).

Conclusions: Compared with standard practice, we found that entropy-guided anesthetic administration was associated with a reduced sevoflurane concentration and a slightly faster emergence and recovery in 3-12-year-old children.