Clonidine prevents sevoflurane-induced agitation in children

In a double-blinded trial, 40 male children (age 2-7 yr) undergoing circumc ision were randomly assigned to receive clonidine 2 mug/kg IV or placebo af ter anesthetic induction. For induction and maintenance of anesthesia, we u sed sevoflurane as the sole anesthetic. For pain treatment, a penile block was performed before surgery. After surgery the incidence and severity of a gitation was measured during an observation period of 2 h. Severe agitation was treated with midazolam. In 16 placebo and 2 clonidine-treated patients agitation was observed (P < 0.001). In 6 patients of the Placebo group, ag itation was graded as severe, whereas none of the patients in the Clonidine group developed severe agitation (P = 0.02). During the postoperative peri od heart rate and blood pressure were significantly decreased in clonidine treated patients (P < 0.05). We conclude that clonidine effectively prevent s agitation after sevoflurane anesthesia.