Effect of Intravenous Dexmedetomidine Injection(1 µg/kg)on the Intubating Conditions without Muscle Relaxants in Children after Inhalation Induction with Sevoflurane.

Objective To investigate the effect of intravenous dexmedetomidine injection(1 µg/kg)on the intubating conditions after inhalation induction with sevoflurane 8% and nitrous oxide(N2O)50% in children. Methods Totally 122 patients aged 4-10 years with an American Society of Anesthesiologists physical statusⅠ undergoing elective plastic surgery under general anesthesia were randomly divided to dexmedetomidine group(intraveneously injected with dexmedetomidine 1µg/kg)and control group(injected with normal saline)by using the random sampling table.On arrival of the operating room,anesthesia was induced with sevoflurane 8% and N2O 50% in oxygen 50%.When the patient became unconscious,the intravenous cannula 24# was inserted on the dorsum of hand.One minute later,laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation were performed.The intubating conditions were assessed by the scoring system in the previous study. Results The rates of acceptable conditions were 97% and 90% in dexmedetomidine group and in control group(P=0.143),and the rates of excellent conditions were 82% and 67%(P=0.04),respectively.In dexmedetomidine group,there were no signifi-cant differences of mean arterial presser and heart rate between the time-point of before intubation and the time-point of immediately after intubation.Conclusion Intravenous bolus of dexmedetomidine(1 µg/kg)can effectively improve the intubating conditions after inhalation induction of sevoflurane 8% and N2O 50% in children and make the hemodynamics more stable during tracheal intubation.

Dexmedetomidine Improves Intubating Conditions Without Muscle Relaxants in Children After Induction With Propofol and Remifentanil.

BACKGROUND: Anesthesia induction using propofol (3 mg/kg) and remifentanil (2 µg/kg) without the use of muscle relaxants has been associated with a lower incidence of successful intubation. Dexmedetomidine has been found to effectively decrease the requirements for propofol and remifentanil and to attenuate the hemodynamic response to intubation. Therefore, in this study, we examined intubating conditions and hemodynamic changes in children after induction with dexmedetomidine (1 µg/kg) combined with propofol (3 mg/kg) and remifentanil (2 µg/kg). METHODS: This randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled study included 60 ASA physical status I children aged 5 to 10 years. The children were randomly allocated to a dexmedetomidine group (group D) or a placebo group (group P). After IV administration of atropine (0.01 mg/kg), anesthesia was induced with an infusion of dexmedetomidine (1 µg/kg) over 2 minutes for group D, whereas normal saline was infused for group P. Propofol (3 mg/kg) was then injected IV over 20 to 30 seconds, followed by an infusion of remifentanil (2 µg/kg) over 1 minute for both groups. One minute later, laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation were performed. RESULTS: For group D and group P, tracheal intubation was successful in 90% (27/30) and 53% (16/30) of patients (P = 0.0034), respectively. Excellent conditions were present in 22 of 27 and 8 of 16 of intubations, respectively, resulting in an overall incidence of excellent conditions of 73% (22/30) and 27% (8/30), respectively (P = 0.0007). Systolic blood pressure significantly increased after the IV injection of dexmedetomidine compared with baseline readings (P = 0.012, with a confidence interval of 2-22 mm Hg). CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of dexmedetomidine (1 µg/kg) improved intubation conditions in children after induction with propofol (3 mg/kg) and remifentanil (2 µg/kg) without muscle relaxants. Dexmedetomidine did not affect the hemodynamic response to intubation.

Continuous noninvasive cardiac output in children: is this the next generation of operating room monitors? Initial experience in 402 pediatric patients.

BACKGROUND: Electrical Cardiometry(™) (EC) estimates cardiac parameters by measuring changes in thoracic electrical bioimpedance during the cardiac cycle. The ICON(®), using four electrocardiogram electrodes (EKG), estimates the maximum rate of change of impedance to peak aortic blood acceleration (based on the premise that red blood cells change from random orientation during diastole (high impedance) to an aligned state during systole (low impedance)). OBJECTIVE: To determine whether continuous cardiac output (CO) data provide additional information to current anesthesia monitors that is useful to practitioners. METHODS: After IRB approval and verbal consent, 402 children were enrolled. Data were uploaded to our anesthesia record at one-minute intervals. Ten-second measurements (averaged over the previous 20 heart beats) were downloaded to separate files for later comparison with routine OR monitors. RESULTS: Data from 374 were in the final cohort (loss of signal or improper lead placement); 292,012 measurements during 58,049 min of anesthesia were made in these children (1 day to 19 years and 1 to 107 kg). Four events had a ≥25% reduction in cardiac index at least 1 min before a clinically important change in other monitored parameters; 18 events in 14 children confirmed manifestations of other hemodynamic measures; eight events may have represented artifacts because the observed measurements did not seem to fit the clinical parameters of the other monitors; three other events documented decreased stroke index with extreme tachycardia. CONCLUSIONS: Electrical cardiometry provides real-time cardiovascular information regarding developing hemodynamic events and successfully tracked the rapid response to interventions in children of all sizes. Intervention decisions must be based on the combined data from all monitors and the clinical situation. Our experience suggests that this type of monitor may be an important addition to real-time hemodynamic monitoring.

Unintentional epidural injection of 88 µg·kg(-1) of epinephrine.

We report the effects of 88 µg·kg(-1) of epinephrine (1:10,000) injected into the caudal epidural space of a 42-week postconceptual age infant. No long-term neurological or cardiovascular sequelae occurred. Noninvasive cardiac output (CO) monitoring revealed increased CO, contractility, and stroke volume for about an hour, accompanied by a reduction in peripheral vascular resistance and a modest increase in pulse and blood pressure.

[Application of conscious sedation with dexmedetomidine and sufentanil in patient for plastic surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effectiveness of conscious sedation with dexmedetomidine and sufentanil in patients for plastic surgery. METHODS: Forty patients scheduled for elective plastic surgery under conscious sedation were infused 1 µg/kg intravenously within 15 minutes as loading dose followed by a continuous infusion of dexmedetomidine (0.5 µg·kg⁻¹·h⁻¹) and sufentanil (0.07 µg·kg⁻¹·h⁻¹) respectively. Sufentanil 0.05 µg/kg and midazolam 0.025 mg/kg were administrated intravenously 5 minutes before local infiltration, and then a bolus of sufentanil or midazolam was given as needed to maintain OAA/S score of 11 during the procedure. The drug infusion was discontinued at 5 to 10 min before the end of the surgical procedure. The complications (i.e. anoxemia, apnea, bradycardia, restlessness, nausea, vomiting, crying and excitation), if any, anesthesia duration and drug consumption were recorded. On the first postoperative day, patients were asked to rate their satisfaction with the anesthetic management and whether they would choose to receive the same sedative analgesic medications and should they require a similar surgical procedure in the future. RESULTS: The OAA/S score decreased from 20.0 ± 0 to 11.5 ± 2.5 after patients being infused the loading dose of dexmedetomidine, and was maintained 10.5-11.1 during the procedure. At the end of the procedure, the OAA/S score return to 16.1 ± 2.8. The induction of sedation produced a significant decrease in HR (P < 0.05) and no significant changes in SBP, DBP and RR values (P > 0.05). There were 38 patients completed their procedures under conscious sedation, and there were incident of crying and bradycardia in 5 and 2 patients respectively. The anesthesia duration and consumption of dexmedetomidine, sufentanil and midazolam were (128 ± 47) min, (116 ± 43) µg, (10 ± 5) µg and (2 ± 1) mg respectively. In an interview on the first postoperative day, there were 13 patients complaining no memory, 17 patients complaining fuzzy memory and 8 patients complaining awake during the procedure, respectively. There were 92% of the patients willing to receive the same anesthetic technique again in the future. CONCLUSION: Conscious sedation with dexmedetomidine and sufentanil is an effective anesthetic technique in patients for plastic surgery.

Shikani optical stylet-guided intubation via the intubating laryngeal airway in patients with scar contracture of the face and neck.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of the Shikani Optical Stylet (SOS)-guided intubation through a new Intubating Laryngeal Airway (ILA) in anticipated difficult airways caused by scar contracture of the face and neck. METHODS: Thirty-three adult patients with anticipated difficult airways undergoing selective faciocervical scar plastic surgery under general anesthesia were enrolled in this study. After anesthesia induction, a size 2.5, 3.5 or 4.5 ILA was inserted. Following good lung ventilation being verified, the SOS preloaded with an endotracheal tube was inserted via the ILA. Once the clear vocal cords came into view under the SOS, the endotracheal tube was advanced through glottis into the trachea. RESULTS: The ILA provided an effective airway in all patients. Intubation was successful at the first attempt on 22/33(66.7%) occasions and at the second attempt on 6/33 (18.2%). Intubation failed in 5 (15.1%) patients who suffered from severe limitation of head extension due to scar contracture of the neck. These patients' tracheas were finally intubated using a fibreoptic bronchoscope via the ILA. CONCLUSIONS: The SOS-guided intubating method via the ILA is a feasible technique in patients with scar contracture of the face and neck. However, in patients with severe limitation of head extension, the use of SOS cannot be recommended. The SOS can be used as an alternative apparatus when the fibreoptic bronchoscope is not available.

[Roles of Cookgas and Fastrach intubating laryngeal mask airway for anticipated difficult tracheal intubation].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effectiveness of blind intubation through the Cookgas intubating laryngeal airway(CILA) or Fastrach intubating laryngeal mask airway(FT-LMA) for anticipated difficult tracheal intubation. METHODS: Eighty-six patients with anticipated difficult tracheal intubation who were undergoing elective plastic surgery under general anesthesia were randomly allocated into CILA group(n=43) and FT-LMA group(n=43) . After general anesthesia being induced and CILA or FT-LMA being inserted, the patients were treated with blind intubation through CILA or FT-LMA. In each case, the number and the time of intubating laryngeal airway(ILA) insertion and blind intubation attempts and ILA removal were recorded. The view of glottis under fiberoptic bronchoscope(FOB) via CILA or FT-LMA was recorded. In addition, noninvasive blood pressure and heart rate were recorded before and after intravenous anesthetic induction, at ILA insertion, at intubation, at ILA removal and every minute thereafter for 5 minutes. RESULTS: CILA or FT-LMA was inserted successfully in all 86 patients. The rate of the first successful insertion was not significantly different between two groups(P>0.05) . In CILA group, the first intubation attempt succeeded in 35 patients;5 and 2 cases were intubated blindly at the second and the third attempt, one patient failed who was intubated successfully by FOB via CILA. In FT-LMA group, 32 patients were intubated successfully at the first attempt, 4 at the second attempt, 3 at the third attempt, and 4 cases failed, three of them were intubated smoothly with FOB through FT-LMA, one failed patient was intubated by FOB. The time of FT-LMA insertion(34.2∓13.9) s was significantly longer when compared with CILA(22.4∓18.9) s (P<0.05) . However, the time of blind intubation through CILA and FT-LMA [(46.0∓26.7) s vs.(51.8∓41.1) s]and the time of ILA removal[(39.3∓11.9) s vs.(35.3∓10.4) s] were not significantly different between groups(P>0.05) . Hemodynamic changes during blind intubation in the two groups showed no significant differences(P>0.05) . CONCLUSIONS: Blind intubation via CILA or FT-LMA is safe and effective for anticipated difficult tracheal intubation. Nevertheless, CILA is easier to be inserted, with relatively higher success rate of blind intubation.

[Comparison of Cookgas and Fastrach intubating laryngeal mask airway with fiberoptic bronchoscope in anticipated difficult airway management].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effectiveness of fiberoptic bronchoscope (FOB)-guided intubation through the Cookgas intubating laryngeal airway(CILA)and the Fastrach intubating laryngeal mask airway (FT-LMA) in the management of anticipated difficult airways. METHODS: Sixty patients with all three difficult intubation criterion (thyromental distance<60 mm, interincisor distance<35 mm, and Mallampati class 3 or 4) undergoing elective plastic surgery under general anesthesia were randomly allocated into CILA group (n=30) and FT-LMA group (n=30). After anesthesia being induced and CILA or FT-LMA being inserted, the patients were treated with FOB-guided intubation through CILA or FT-LMA. The success of the intubating laryngeal airway(ILA)insertion and FOB-guided intubation, the number of attempts, and the duration of the successful attempt were recorded. RESULTS: The ILA was inserted successfully in 30 patients from CILA group and 27 patients from FT-LMA group. Three failed cases in FT-LMA group were inserted successfully with CILA. In CILA group, the first FOB-guided intubation attempt succeeded in 26 patients, and 4 cases were intubated at the second attempt. In 27 patients of FT-LMA group, 20 cases were intubated successfully at the first attempt, 4 cases at the second attempt, and 3 cases failed; of these three failed patients, two patients were intubated smoothly with FOB through CILA at the first attempt, one was intubated by FOB via CILA at the second attempt. The duration of FT-LMA insertion [(35.3±12.8)s] was significantly longer when compared with CILA [(23.9±17.5)s] (P<0.05). However, the duration of FOB-guided intubation through CILA and FT-LMA [(48.6±13.5)s vs.(53.2±14.2)s] and the time of ILA removal [(40.4±10.2)s vs. (38.5±11.3)s] were not significantly different between these two groups (P>0.05). The adverse events during and after intubtion were not significantly different between these two groups. CONCLUSIONS: FOB-guided intubation through CILA and FT-LMA is safe and feasible for the management of anticipated difficult airways. However, in patients with severe scar contracture of face and neck and those with huge expander in neck, the CILA insertion and FOB-guided intubation via CILA is superior to FT-LMA.

Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Dexmedetomidine Administered in Two Different Modes Under Procedural Sedation and Analgesia in Plastic Surgery.

Background: Dexmedetomidine (DEX), a highly selective α2-adrenergic receptor agonist, is now widely used in procedural sedation and analgesia. This study was designed to observe and compare the efficacy and safety of DEX administered in two different modes. Methods: In total, 100 patients were randomly divided into two groups to receive intravenous DEX 1 µg/kg over 15 min followed by 0.4-0.7 µg/kg/h infusion or DEX 1 µg/kg over 30 min followed by 0.4-0.7 µg/kg/h infusion. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), respiratory rate (RR), bispectral index (BIS), Ramsay Sedation Scores (RSS scores), the lowest respiratory rates (LRR), incidences of respiratory adverse events and frequencies of body movements were recorded. Recovery time, recall of intraoperative events, pain scores in PACU and satisfaction of patients and surgeons were assessed. Results: The BIS at time points from 5 min after anesthesia to the end of surgery in the intervention group were significantly higher (p < 0.05). The RSS scores at time points from 5 min after anesthesia to immediately after induction with DEX were significantly higher in the intervention group (p < 0.05). The HR at time points from the beginning of surgery to 30 min after local anesthesia, the MAP at time points from 30 min after local anesthesia to the end of surgery, and the RR at time points from 5 min after anesthesia to the end of surgery were significantly higher in the intervention group (p < 0.05). Patients in the intervention group had higher LRR, lower incidences of respiratory adverse events, and shorter recovery time (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Dexmedetomidine infused with a loading dose over 30 min had less impact on patients' hemodynamics and respiration and could shorten the recovery time after anesthesia in procedural sedation and analgesia. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: ChiCTR1900027958.

[Induction of tracheal intubation without muscle relaxant by target controlled infusion of propofol combined with remifentanil in children].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the safety and feasibility of tracheal intubation by target-controlled infusion of propofol and remifentanil without muscle relaxant in children. METHODS: Totally 100 4-10-year-old pediatric patients (ASA1) who had been scheduled for plastic surgery were equally divided into remifentanil group and control group through computer-generated randomized grouping. In all patients, five minutes after intravenous administration of atropine 0.01 mg/kg and midazolam 0.1 mg/kg, propofol was infused at the targeted effect-site concentration (Ce of 6 µg/ml. When the intended target Ce of propofol was reached, the remifentanil group began to be infused with remifentanil at a Ce of 5 ng/ml, and normal saline (0.1 ml/kg) was injected simultaneously. In the control group remifentanil was replaced by normal saline and rocuronium (0.8 mg/kg) was injected together with the normal saline. After the equilibration of plasma and the Ce of remifentanil were reached, tracheal intubation was attempted. The complications during the induction and tracheal intubation were recorded. The intubating conditions were assessed using a five-point scoring system based on ease of laryngoscopy, vocal cords position, coughing, jaw relaxation and limb movement. RESULTS: The success rate of tracheal intubation was in 90% in remifentanil group and 98% in the control group (P=0.122).CONCLUSION Target-controlled infusion of propofol and remifentanil at Ce of 6 µg/ml and 5 ng/ml is feasible for the induction and tracheal intubation without muscle relaxant in children.

[Application of the fibreoptic intubating laryngeal mask airway CTrach in face and neck scar contracture patients].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of the fibreoptic intubating laryngeal mask airway (LMA) CTrach (CTrach) in anticipated difficult airway caused by face and neck scar contracture. METHODS: Totally 33 patients undergoing selective face and neck scar plastic surgery and requiring general anesthesia were enrolled in our study. After anesthesia induction, the CTrach was inserted and the viewer was attached, which allowed fibreoptic visualization of the larynx before and during passage of the tracheal tube through the vocal cords. The duration and the success rates of CTrach insertion, tracheal intubation, and CTrach removal were recorded. The view of glottis on viewer and the adjusting maneuvers for improving the laryngeal view were recorded. Noninvasive blood pressures and heart rates were recorded before and after anesthesia induction and at CTrach insertion, tracheal intubation, and CTrach removal. RESULTS: The CTrach was successfully inserted in all patients, among whom 4 patients succeeded at the second attempt. The full view of glottis were shown in 10 patients, while partial view and no view of glottis were shown in 8 and 15 patients, respectively. The good view of glottis was achieved by adjusting manoeuvres. Tracheal intubation via the CTrach was successful in 27 patients at the first attempt and in 6 patients at the second attempt. Hemodynamic changes during the performance with the CTrach were minimal. CONCLUSIONS: The CTrach can be easily inserted, with clear view and high success rate of tracheal intubation. Therefore, it is an effective way to resolve difficulty intubation caused by face and neck scar contracture.

[Clinical observation of Cookgas intubating laryngeal airway in anticipating difficult tracheal intubation].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effects of Cookgas intubating laryngeal airway (CILA) in facilitating fiberoptic bronchoscope (FOB) and Shikani optical stylet (SOS)-guided intubations in anticipating difficult tracheal intubation. METHODS: Totally 60 anticipated difficult tracheal intubation patients undergoing selective plastic surgery under general anesthesia were allocated to FOB group (n = 30) and SOS group (n = 30). After anesthesia induction and CILA insertion, the patients were treated with FOB or SOS-guided intubation via CILA. The time of intubation and CILA removal and the time and the success rate of CILA insertion were recorded. Noninvasive blood pressure and heart rate were recorded before and after anesthesia induction at CILA insertion, at intubation, at CILA removal, and every minute thereafter for 5 minutes. RESULTS: CILA was inserted successfully in all patients. The first intubation attempt succeeded in all but two who succeeded in the second and the third attempt respectively in FOB group. In SOS group, 18 patients were successfully intubated in the first attempt, and 7 patients were successfully intubated in the second attempt; SOS failed in 5 patients with severe cervical scars, and then FOB was successfully used to intubate. The time of the intubation [(60.2 +/- 29.6) vs. (92.4 +/- 47.9)s] and CILA removal [(104.6 +/- 39.9) vs. (130.0 +/- 51.9) s] in SOS group were significantly longer than in FOB group (P < 0.05). Hemodynamic changes during the intubation with CILA in these two groups were minimal. CONCLUSIONS: FOB and SOS-guided tracheal intubation via CILA is safe and effective in anticipating the outcome of difficult airway management. Compare to SOS-guided intubation, the time of FOB-guided intubation is shorter and the success rate is higher.

The Use of Epinephrine in Caudal Anesthesia Increases Stroke Volume and Cardiac Output in Children.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Caudal anesthesia is a common and effective regional anesthesia technique in pediatric patients. The addition of epinephrine to local anesthetics in caudal anesthesia is a frequent practice; however, changes in hemodynamic and cardiac parameters produced by epinephrine in caudal anesthesia are not well studied. Using data collected with the ICON noninvasive cardiac output monitor, we examined the hemodynamic changes associated with the administration of epinephrine containing local anesthetics during caudal anesthesia in children. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 40 patients who received caudal anesthesia among 402 patients from whom we prospectively collected continuous noninvasive cardiac output data using the ICON monitor, which estimates cardiac output by measuring changes in thoracic bioimpedance during the cardiac cycle. Twenty-three children received epinephrine with local anesthetic (ELA), and 17 children received only local anesthetic (OLA) in their caudal blocks. We compared heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), and cardiac index (CI) changes from baseline before caudal injection to 1-minute intervals over 15 minutes after caudal injection for both ELA and OLA groups (Table, Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/AAP/A179). We also performed subgroup analysis of the same parameters comparing both ELA and OLA groups in infants younger than 6 months and in children 6 months or older. RESULTS: Stroke volume, CO, and CI are significantly increased after caudal injection in the ELA group compared with baseline values at caudal injection time. Conversely, there were no statistically significant changes in SV, CO, and CI in the OLA group. There were no significant HR or blood pressure changes observed in either the ELA or OLA group within 15 minutes compared with baseline caudal injection time. In infants younger than 6 months, no significant differences were found in HR, SV, and CI in children in the ELA group compared with the OLA group. In children 6 months or older, SV and CI increased significantly in the ELA group compared with the OLA group. CONCLUSIONS: Epinephrine added to local anesthetic injected for caudal anesthesia produces significant increases in SV, CO, and CI in children. Stroke volume and CI changes from epinephrine added to local anesthetic for caudal anesthesia seem to take place only in children 6 months or older.

Age-related incidence of desaturation events and the cardiac responses on stroke index, cardiac index, and heart rate measured by continuous bioimpedance noninvasive cardiac output monitoring in infants and children undergoing general anesthesia.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of desaturation on stroke index (SI), cardiac index (CI), and heart rate (HR) using the ICON continuous noninvasive cardiac output monitor in children undergoing general anesthesia. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected data set. SETTING: Pediatric operating rooms in a tertiary academic medical center. PATIENTS: Children younger than 20 years who experienced desaturation while undergoing general anesthesia. INTERVENTION: All records were retrospectively searched for desaturation events defined as a recorded Spo2 ≤ 90%. We compared the data from the prior 4 minutes (baseline) with mild, moderate, and severe levels of desaturation. MEASUREMENTS: The relationship between Spo2 and percent change in SI, CI, and HR from baseline was assessed using a generalized linear model with repeated measures and the least-squares method. MAIN RESULTS: Data from 446 patients were reviewed; 38 events were eligible for analysis after exclusions. There were significant decreases in SI at all saturation ranges below 95%: -6.5% (P < .001) for 85%-95%, -8.9% (P = .002) for 71%-84%, and -11% (P < .001) for ≤70%. Based on the result from the regression, Spo2 was associated with change in SI with borderline significance (P = .053) but not that of HR and CI. There was a strong relationship to desaturation events with young age (P < .001), particularly infants younger than 6 months. CONCLUSION: Events associated with desaturation in children under general anesthesia were significantly associated with decreased SI with a greater effect with lower saturation nadirs. It is unclear if other concurrent events could have also contributed to adverse hemodynamic responses during desaturation. In most children, a compensatory increase in HR generally offsets concurrent decreases in CI. It would appear that bradycardia is a late manifestation of hypoxemia.

[Application of conscious sedation with midazolam, propofol and sufentanil for patients in plastic surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effectiveness of conscious sedation with midazolam, propofol and sufentanil for patients in plastic surgery. METHODS: 81 patients, scheduled for plastic surgery, were randomly selected to receive conscious sedation with midazolam 0.05 mg x kg(-1) and sufentanil 0.1 microg x kg(-1) intravenously, following by a continuous infusion of midazolam-propofol-sufentanil combination (midazolam 5 mg + propofol 200 mg + sufentanil 10 microg, a total of 23 ml). The initial infusion rate was 0.2 ml x kg(-1) x h(-1), and was adjusted (in 20% of initial infusion rate increment) to maintain OAA/S score as 11 during the operation. The patients' vital signs, discomfort and level of sedation were evaluated at 5 to 10 min intervals until the end of the surgery. The complications (i. e. anoxemia, apnea, restlessness, nausea and vomiting), anesthesia duration and drug consumption were recorded. The drug infusion was discontinued at 5 - 10 min before the end of the surgical procedure. On the first postoperative day, patients were asked to rate their satisfaction with the anesthetic management and whether they would choose to receive the same anesthetic technique if necessary in the future. RESULTS: The OAA/S score decreased from 20.0 +/- 0 to 11.9 +/- 2.6 after midazolam and sufentanil IV (P < 0.05), and was maintained as 10.5-11.1 during the procedure. At the end of the procedure, the OAA/S score returned to 16.0 +/- 2.2, which was also lower significantly compared with baseline value (P < 0.05). The induction of sedation produced a significant decrease in SBP and DBP (P < 0.05) and no significant changes in heart rate (P > 0.05). At the end of the procedure, SBP, DBP and HR returned to the baseline value. The anoxemia happened in 11 cases, apnea in 5 cases and restlessness in 2. No nausea and vomiting occurred. The anesthesia duration and consumption of midazolam, propofol and sufentanil were (101.1 +/- 42.5) min, (8.4 +/- 3.7) mg, (189.1 +/- 88.7) mg and (18.2 +/- 5.6) microg respectively. In an interview on the first postoperative day, 96% (78/ 81) of the patients were satisfied with their anesthesia and were willing to receive the same anesthetic technique if necessary in the future. CONCLUSION: Conscious sedation with midazolam, propofol and sufentanil is an effective anesthetic technique for patients in plastic surgery.