Revolutionary breath analysis: Safely monitor children under general anesthesia!

Revolutionary breath analysis: Safely monitor children under general anesthesia!

Researchers at the University of Basel have presented a new method for dosing anesthetics in children in an innovative pilot study. The study, published in the journal Anesthesiology, examines the possibility of dosing anesthesia for children more precisely by analyzing the air they breathe. Led by Prof. Dr. Pablo Sinues, the research team included ten children who required surgery under general anesthesia. The results could represent significant advances for anesthesia in young patients.

The problem of dosing anesthetics such as propofol, which has been used for over 30 years, is well known. The optimal use of this anesthetic presents major challenges as the dosage depends heavily on factors such as body size, weight, gender and age. Common methods for monitoring anesthesia are based on indirect conclusions through vital signs, movements and brain activity. Blood samples to measure the propofol concentration, however, are time-consuming and do not provide timely feedback on the drug's effect.

New technologies for breath analysis

The research team developed special measuring devices for analyzing metabolites and drugs in breath. These devices could significantly improve anesthesia monitoring. Breath and blood samples were taken from the participating children every 30 minutes during the study. The breath samples were collected in plastic bags and then examined in the laboratory using mass spectrometry. The results showed that both the active ingredient propofol and its degradation products could be reliably detected in the breath.

Breath analysis also revealed oxidative stress induced by anesthesia and surgery, indicating potential complications with propofol use. This new method could help detect early warning signs and thus minimize risks for young patients.

Future expectations and areas of application

Sinues' research team has spent several years investigating the use of breath analyzes for diagnostics and for more individual dosing of medications. The method could be useful not only for anesthesia in children, but also for other medications and for older adults. Previous studies have shown that medications used to treat epilepsy can also be measured in breath, making dosing easier.

This pilot study is part of a larger project supported by the Eccellenza grant from the Swiss National Science Foundation. The results could have a significant impact on the practice of anesthesia by enabling a more accurate, safer and effective determination of required anesthesia doses.

In summary, breath analysis represents a promising technology to improve anesthesia monitoring in children. The innovation could revolutionize future procedures in general anesthesia and thus significantly improve patient care.

For more information about the study and its results, see the reports on vol.at, unibas.ch and idw-online.de.