Anesthesiology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Induction, recovery, and safety characteristics of sevoflurane in children undergoing ambulatory surgery. A comparison with halothane.
Sevoflurane is an inhalational anesthetic with characteristics suited for use in children. To determine whether the induction, recovery, and safety characteristics of sevoflurane differ from those of halothane, the following open-labeled, multicenter, randomized, controlled, phase III study in children undergoing ambulatory surgery was designed. ⋯ Sevoflurane compared favorably with halothane. Early recovery after sevoflurane was predictably more rapid than after halothane, although this was not reflected in a more rapid discharge from the hospital. The incidence of adverse events was similar for both anesthetics. Clinically, the induction, recovery, and safety characteristics of sevoflurane and halothane are similar. Sevoflurane is a suitable alternative to halothane for use in children undergoing minor ambulatory surgery.