The effects of doxapram on time to tracheal extubation and early recovery in young morbidly obese patients scheduled for bariatric surgery: A randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND Bariatric surgery is a well established treatment of the obese. Postoperative respiratory failure and airway obstruction after bariatric surgery can often be attributed to the residual depressant effects of anaesthetics, sedatives and opioids. Peri-operative management of morbidly obese patients is still a concern for operating room professionals. OBJECTIVE The evaluation of the effects of doxapram on the outcomes of general anaesthesia following bariatric surgical procedures in the morbidly obese. DESIGN A single-blind randomised controlled trial with two parallel arms. SETTING A tertiary care teaching hospital, Tehran, Iran, from 2017 to 2018. PARTICIPANTS In total, 100 patients (69 women) with at least class two obesity were included in two groups of equal sizes and underwent bariatric surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was the time from the administration of doxapram to tracheal extubation. Secondary outcomes included vital signs and variables including peak expiratory flow rate, time to return to spontaneous breathing, time to eye-opening and hand-squeezing on the commands, and time to recovery. INTERVENTIONS Both groups underwent general anaesthesia. The intervention group received a single dose of doxapram 1 mg kg−1 ideal body weight, immediately after reversal of neuromuscular blockade and after discontinuation of all anaesthetics. RESULTS Doxapram decreased time to extubation, time to eye-opening and hand-squeez...
Source: European Journal of Anaesthesiology - Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Airway management Source Type: research