Abstract: Awareness and recall in outpatient anesthesia.
Authors:
Wennervirta J, Ranta SO, Hynynen M.
Institution:
Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Children's Hospital, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Stenbackinkatu 11, FIN-00290 Helsinki, Finland.
Source:
Anesth Analg. 2002 Jul;95(1):72-7.
Abstract:
We studied the incidence of awareness and explicit recall
during general anesthesia in outpatients versus inpatients
undergoing surgery. During a 14.5-mo period, we structurally
interviewed 1500 outpatients and 2343 inpatients. Among
outpatients, there were five cases of awareness and recall (one
with clear intraoperative recollections and four with doubtful
intraoperative recollections). Of the inpatients, six reported
awareness and recall (three with clear and three with doubtful
intraoperative recollections). The incidence of clear
intraoperative recollections was 0.07% in outpatients and 0.13% in
inpatients. The difference in the incidence was not significant.
Among outpatients, those with awareness and recall were given
smaller doses of sevoflurane than those without awareness and
recall (P < 0.05). In conclusion, awareness and recall are rare
complications of general anesthesia, and outpatients are not at
increased risk for this event compared with inpatients undergoing
general anesthesia. IMPLICATIONS: Rapid recovery from general
anesthesia is a crucial element of outpatient surgery. However,
this practice may predispose a patient to receive less anesthetic,
with increased risk for awareness and recall. We have shown that
outpatients undergoing an operation using general anesthesia are
not at increased risk for awareness compared with inpatients.
Keywords:
Anaesthesia Complications Awareness