The effect of nebulized lidocaine hydrochloride on emergence from sevoflurane anesthesia in children undergoing Tonsillectomy

BackgroundSevoflurane-related emergence agitation (EA) is considered a significant problem that interferes with children’s recovery; our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of nebulized lidocaine hydrochloride when given before sevoflurane anesthesia in attenuating EA in children undergoing tonsillectomy.Materials and methodsA randomized clinical study was conducted on eighty children ASA I and II who underwent tonsillectomy. The children were randomized to one of two groups according to the nebulizer contents. Lidocaine group (group L) received nebulized solution of 4 mg/kg lidocaine hydrochloride and placebo group (group P) received nebulized solution contains 0.9% normal saline.ResultsThe number of agitated patients were significantly lowered in the lidocaine group compared to the placebo group; p value (0.012).ConclusionThe use of nebulized lidocaine before sevoflurane anesthesia for pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy attenuated the sevoflurane-related EA with no side effects.