ObjectiveTo systematically review the safety of propofol versus sevoflurane for pediatric surgery.
MethodsEMbase, PubMed, The Cochrane Library, CSCD, CNKI, WanFang Data were searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about propofol versus sevoflurane for pediatric surgery from inception to January 2015. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then metaanalysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software.
ResultsFifteen RCTs involving 1 065 children were included finally. Meta-analysis results showed that, compared with the sevoflurane group, the propofol group could reduce the incidence of emergence agitation (OR=0.23, 95%CI 0.16 to 0.34, P<0.000 01) and the incidence of postoperative vomiting (OR=0.32, 95%CI 0.20 to 0.51, P<0.000 01). There were no significant differences between the two groups in extubation time (MD=0.98, 95%CI -0.26 to 2.21, P=0.12), eye-opening time (MD=3.32, 95%CI -2.65 to 9.29, P=0.28) and postoperative analgesic requirements (OR=0.60, 95%CI 0.30 to 1.23, P=0.16).
ConclusionIn reducing the incidence of emergence agitation and postoperative vomiting, propofol is superior to sevoflurane, so propofol is safer than sevoflurane for children's surgery.
