Effect of Nebulized Salbutamol Premedication on Perioperative Respiratory Adverse Events in Children with Recent Respiratory Tract Infections

BACKGROUND A recent upper respiratory tract infection is linked to the development of peri-operative respiratory complications. In this study we wanted to evaluate the effect of salbutamol premedication on the incidence of peri-operative respiratory adverse events in children with a recent upper respiratory tract infection (PRAE). METHODS A randomized clinical trial study that was conducted at the Children Welfare Teaching Hospital for a period of six months. It included 90 children aged ≤ 16 years who underwent a surgical operation under general anesthesia with a laryngeal mask airway or a tracheal tube and were divided into three groups; (had a recent URTI and received preoperative salbutamol, those who had a recent URTI and didn’t receive preoperative salbutamol, and those with no URTI group). The preferred outcome was the difference in the rate of occurrence of PRAE between children who had received salbutamol and those who hadn’t. RESULTS Four children with no URTI (13.3%) developed peri-operative respiratory adverse events. The incidence of bronchospasm and severe cough was significantly higher in patients with URTI and who didn’t receive preoperative salbutamol than in those with URTI who received preoperative salbutamol. CONCLUSIONS Preoperative salbutamol doses 10 – 30 minutes before surgery have been demonstrated to reduce and treat peri-operative respiratory adverse events.