PREDICTIVE FACTORS OF DELAYED POSTOPERATIVE EMERGENCE IN PEDIATRIC ANESTHESIA

Background:Delayed postoperative emergence is a clinically relevant complication in pediatric anesthesia. It may prolong post-anesthesia care unit stay, delay transfer to the ward, increase monitoring requirements, and, in some cases, lead to admission to intensive care. Children are particularly vulnerable because of their age-related physiological, pharmacological, and psychological specificities. Objective:The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of delayed postoperative emergence in children undergoing general anesthesia and to identify the factors associated with its occurrence. Methods:This was a prospective descriptive and analytical study conducted over a six-month period in a pediatric surgery operating room. All children aged from the first day of life to 14 years who underwent surgery under general anesthesia were included. Patients admitted directly to intensive care in the immediate postoperative period were excluded. Demographic, clinical, intraoperative, and postoperative data were collected, including ASA physical status, emergency surgery, medical history, preoperative anxiety or agitation, difficult venous access, prolonged operative duration, and post operative complications. Descriptive analysis was followed by univariate and multivariate analyses to identify factors associated with delayed postoperative emergence.