Study of paediatric postoperative delirium and acute pain in low surgical risk procedures

Introduction: Postoperative delirium is not only an outcome of unknown precise incidence in pediatrics but also a controversial field for pediatric anesthesiology. Objective: To estimate the incidence of postoperative pediatric delirium in low surgical risk procedures and to analyze risk factors (such as acute postoperative pain). Materials and methodology: Prospective analytical observational study of incident cohort that included patients between 2 and 10 years of age, American Society of Anesthesiology I to II, undergoing low-risk surgery. Sample size: probable incidence 33%, accuracy 5%, confidence 95%, n = 340 patients. Sequential sample selection was done after admission to the operating room. Concurrent and longitudinal follow-up was carried out. Results: Incidence of delirium was 13.2%. A strong relationship was found between the presence of severe acute postoperative pain and delirium. Dexamethasone was a risk factor. A high association was found between remifentanil and severe acute postoperative pain. Conclusions: A low incidence of delirium was found as compared with other reports in the world literature. The diagnostic strength of the scales used is controversial because of the similarities between measurement parameters. Scientific evidence that challenges the use of dexamethasone as a triggering factor is offered. A direct association between pain and delirium is found, and it is even argued that the use of remifentanil could favor the presence of severe acute postoperative pain (hyperalgesia). Resumen Introducción: El Delirium postoperatorio no sólo es un desenlace del que se desconoce una incidencia precisa en pacientes pediátricos, también es un campo controvertido para la Anestesiología Pediátrica. Objetivo: Calcular la incidencia de Delirium Pediátrico Postoperatorio en cirugías de bajo riesgo quirúrgico y analizar factores de riesgo,(Como el dolor agudo postoperatorio). Materiales y método: Estudio Observacional Prospectivo Analítico de Cohorte Incidente. Incluyó pacientes entre 2 y 10 años, ASA I-II, sometidos a cirugías de bajo riesgo quirúrgico. Tamaño de Muestra: Incidencia probable=33%, Precisión=5%, Confianza95%, n = 340 pacientes. Selección muestral secuencial al ingreso a salas de cirugía. Seguimiento concurrente y longitudinal. Resultados: Incidencia de Delirium=13,2%. Se encontró una fuerte relación entre Dolor Agudo Postoperatorio Severo y Delirium. La Dexametasona se comportó como un factor de riesgo. Remifentanyl presentó una alta asociación con Dolor Agudo Severo Postoperatorio. Conclusiones: Se encontró una incidencia de Delirium pediátrico baja con respecto a otros reportes a nivel mundial. Se controvierte la fortaleza diagnóstica de las escalas empleadas dadas las similitudes en sus parámetros de medición. Se aporta evidencia científica que debate el empleo de Dexametasona como inductor de Delirium. Se asocia de manera directa la presencia de Dolor y Delirium, e incluso se argumenta cómo el empleo de Remifentanyl podría facilitar la presencia de Dolor Agudo Severo Postoperatorio (Hiperalgesia).