Safety and Complications of Sedation Anesthesia during Pediatric Auditory Brainstem Response Testing

Abstract

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> The auditory brainstem response (ABR) test has been widely used in childhood. Although it is a painless procedure, sedation can be needed in pediatric patients. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate safety and complications of sedation anesthesia applied in pediatric patients during ABR testing. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Medical records of 75 children who underwent ABR testing between 2018 and 2020 were evaluated retrospectively in terms of applicability, safety, and complications of sedation anesthesia. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The ages ranged from 3 to 9 (mean 6.2) years. Comorbidity was detected in 20% (<i>n</i> = 15); 3 had multiple comorbidities, and the most common comorbidity was Down syndrome (4%). The drugs used in sedation anesthesia were midazolam in 81.3% (<i>n</i> = 61), a combination of propofol and ketamine in 14.7% (<i>n</i> = 11), and only propofol in 4% (<i>n</i> = 3) of the patients. An additional drug use was needed in 44% (<i>n</i> = 33). The mean procedure time was 40 (range 30–55) min. The mean anesthesia duration was 45 (range 35–60) min. The mean recovery time was 10 (range 5–15) min. Complications related to anesthesia developed in 4 (5.33%) of the patients; respiratory distress, agitation, cough, and nausea-vomiting were seen in one of the patients, respectively. Complications like bradycardia and respiratory or cardiac arrest were not seen at all. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The complication rate of sedation anesthesia performed during ABR testing of pediatric patients is quite low. It may be more beneficial to use combinations of sedation drugs instead of using a single sedation drug. Although sedation anesthesia appears to be safe in general, the potentially life-threatening complications of sedative agents should be remembered, especially in children who have comorbidities.