Recovery Trajectories After Propofol-Based Intravenous Anesthesia in Toddlers and Older Children

Age-Stratified Recovery Trajectories Following Propofol-Based Total Intravenous Anesthesia: A Comparative Study Between Toddlers (3-6 Years) and Older Children (6-12 Years)

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Observational

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT07766629

Enrollment

Registered

2026-08-14

Start date

2026-09-01

Completion date

2027-10-01

Last updated

2026-08-14

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Anesthesia Recovery, Pediatric Anesthesia, Total Intravenous Anesthesia

Keywords

Propofol, TIVA, Emergence Delirium, Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting, PAED Scale

Brief summary

This observational study aims to compare how quickly and smoothly younger children (ages 3 to 6 years) recover from general anesthesia compared to older children (ages 6 to 12 years). While inhalational anesthesia (breathing in anesthetic gases) has traditionally been the standard for pediatric surgeries, total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) using a short-acting medication called propofol is increasingly being used. Propofol TIVA offers several benefits, including reduced postoperative nausea and vomiting, less airway irritation, a smoother waking process, and an earlier readiness to go home. However, because children's bodies and metabolisms change rapidly as they grow, the way propofol is processed by and clears from the body varies significantly by age. Currently, there is limited evidence detailing exactly how these age-related differences affect recovery times. To investigate this, researchers will monitor 64 children undergoing elective surgeries (lasting between 30 and 120 minutes) who receive propofol TIVA as their primary anesthetic. After the procedure, the study will measure the exact time it takes for participants in both age groups to meet specific, standardized safe-discharge criteria (known as Phase II recovery readiness). Researchers will also track several other important recovery factors, including the time it takes for children to open their eyes, pain levels, the occurrence of emergence delirium (agitation or confusion upon waking), and any breathing-related complications. By comparing the recovery trajectories of toddlers and older children, this research seeks to improve postoperative care planning and provide clearer expectations for pediatric intravenous anesthesia.

Interventions

None listed

Study design

Observational model

COHORT

Time perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

3 Years to 12 Years

Inclusion criteria

* Age 3-12 years * ASA I-II * Elective surgery under general anaesthesia * Surgical duration 30-120 minutes * Propofol TIVA as the primary anesthetic technique

Exclusion criteria

* Neurological disorders * Developmental delay * Hepatic or renal impairment * Obesity (\>95th percentile) * Concomitant sedative medications

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Time to Achieve Fast-Track Phase II Recovery Readiness	2 hours post-surgery	The time elapsed in minutes from the end of surgery (defined as the placement of the last stitch) until the patient achieves Phase II recovery readiness. Readiness is determined using the White Fast-Track Score, which requires patients to achieve a total score of 12 or greater with no individual component scoring less than 1.

Outcome results