부산대학교 도서관

Study Objectives: Previous research has suggested that general anesthetics can disturb postoperative sleep patterns by affecting the sleep--wake cycle. The objective was to identify the effects of general anesthetics on sleep quality and related behavioral changes in children. Methods: This was a prospective, observational case-control study with children, aged 18 months to 8 years, undergoing general anesthesia for elective surgery. Participants wore an actigraph for 7 days on three occasions: prior to surgery, the immediate postoperative period, and 3 months after surgery. Data regarding behavior patterns were collected using behavioral assessments at baseline, the first postoperative week, and 3 months following surgery. Results: Thirty-one participants (mean age 4.8 [+ or -] 2.0 years, 81% male) underwent urologic or otolaryngologic surgery. The median (interquartile range) anesthetic duration was 132.0 (80.0-184.0) min. No significant differences were found in sleep efficiency, total sleep time, wake time after sleep onset, or sleep onset latency between baseline, 7 day postoperative period, and the 3 month follow-up. No significant differences were found in sleep-related behavioral metrics including internalizing and externalizing behaviors, and executive functioning. Data were compared with a control group of 18 participants (mean age 5.3 [+ or -] 1.8 years, 61% male). No significant differences were found in sleep patterns and related behavioral metrics between both groups. Conclusions: In this study, general anesthesia did not result in disturbed sleep or associated negative behavioral changes in otherwise healthy children undergoing elective surgeries of low complexity. Physicians can advise parents that a child's surgery and associated general anesthetic exposure may not result in significant changes in postoperative sleep patterns. Key words: general anesthesia; sleep disturbances; actigraphy; pediatrics
Introduction Disturbed sleep following surgery in children has become a particular concern [1]. Sleep disturbances and poor sleep quality are associated with higher postoperative pain [1], changes in behavior, and [...]