BACKGROUND: Intravenous lidocaine administered during surgery improves postoperative outcomes; however, few studies have evaluated the relationship between intravenous lidocaine and volatile anesthetics requirements. This study assessed the effects of lidocaine treatment on sevoflurane consumption and postoperative consciousness disorders in children undergoing major spine surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients were randomly divided into 2 treatment groups: lidocaine and placebo (control). The lidocaine group received lidocaine as a bolus of 1.5 mg/kg over 30 min, followed by a continuous infusion at 1 mg/kg/h to 6 h after surgery. The following data were assessed: end-tidal sevoflurane concentration required to maintain a bispectral index BIS between 40 and 60, intraoperative blood pressure, heart rate, demand for fentanyl, and consciousness level assessed after surgery using the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale. Any treatment-related adverse events were recorded.

RESULTS: Compared to the control group, lidocaine treatment reduced by 15% the end-tidal sevoflurane concentration required to maintain the intraoperative hemodynamic stability and appropriate level of anesthesia (P=0.0003). There were no intergroup differences in total dose of fentanyl used, average mean arterial pressure, or heart rate measured intraoperatively. The postoperative level of patient consciousness did not differ during the first 6 h between groups. After 9 h, more patients in the control group were still sleepy (P=0.032), and there were fewer perioperative complications in the lidocaine group.

CONCLUSIONS: Lidocaine treatment decreases sevoflurane consumption and improves recovery profiles in children undergoing major spine surgery.

Keywords: Adjuvants, Anesthesia, Consciousness Disorders, Intensive Care Units, Pediatric, Lidocaine, Spinal Fusion, Adolescent, Anesthesia Recovery Period, Anesthesia, General, Anesthetics, Combined, Child, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Hemodynamics, Infusions, Intravenous, Intraoperative Period, Monitoring, Intraoperative, Spine