[Electroclinical aspects of intramuscular methohexital anesthesia in children].

Abstract

Intramuscular methohexital is used in children for short-term anaesthesia. As a seizure was observed in two of our cases after administration of this barbiturate, an EEG study was performed. The EEG pattern was characterized by a particularly slow, sharp, high voltage stage with a decrease of fast rhythms (stage 3a), then fast and sharp rhythms becoming more and more frequent (stage 3b). These stages were particularly pronounced and prolonged in children over 3 years of age, with myoclonic jerks observed in 6 cases, beginning about 3 min after methohexital injection and at the same time as the clinical seizures. These results are discussed in terms of previously reported descriptions of barbiturate anaesthesia, and especially of i.m. or i.v. methohexital anaesthesia. This anaesthetic, although reliable and easy to use, should in our opinion be avoided in epileptic children.

• Authors: M F Vecchierini-Blineau, B Nogues, M Meigner, J Ginet, R Souron
• Journal: Revue d'electroencephalographie et de neurophysiologie clinique (Rev Electroencephalogr Neurophysiol Clin) Vol. 12 Issue 3 Pg. 253-8 (Nov 1982) ISSN: 0370-4475 [Print] France
• Vernacular Title: Aspects éléctrocliniques de l'anesthésie au méthohexital intramusculaire chez l'enfant.
• PMID: 7156448 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Methohexital

Topics

• Anesthesia, General
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Electroencephalography
• Female
• Heart Defects, Congenital (surgery)
• Humans
• Infant
• Injections, Intramuscular
• Male
• Methohexital (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Monitoring, Physiologic
• Seizures (chemically induced, diagnosis)