ABSTRACT The minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane varies with age in children, and the median effective concentration (EC 50 ) of sevoflurane for I‐gel insertion in children of different ages has not been reported. The aim of this study was to determine the EC 50 of end‐tidal sevoflurane maintained for 2.5 min for I‐gel insertion in children aged 1–10 years and also to estimate the 95% effective concentration (EC 95 ) . This study aimed to recruit children who were scheduled to undergo laparoscopic high ligation of the inguinal hernia sac or laparoscopic high ligature of the sheath process. Children were stratified into three age groups. We employed Dixon's up‐and‐down method in this study. The target end‐tidal sevoflurane concentration was then maintained at 2% for 2.5 min for the first child. The concentration for the subsequent patient was determined based on the response of the previous patient, with adjustments of 0.2%. This study was terminated when seven crossover points were reached. In the 1–3‐year‐old group including 3‐year‐old, EC 50 was 1.75% (95% confidence interval CI, 1.72%–2.03%), and EC 95 was 2.17% (95% CI, 1.96%–2.18%). In the 3–6‐year‐old group including 6‐year‐old, EC 50 was 1.60% (95% CI, 1.35%–1.83%), and EC 95 was 1.96% (95% CI, 1.77%–1.98%). In the 6–10‐year‐old group, EC 50 was 0.96% (95% CI, 0.93%–2.20%) and EC 95 was 2.36% (95% CI, 2.15%–2.38%). Our study determined the EC 50 of end‐tidal sevoflurane required for I‐gel insertion in unpremedicated children aged 1–10 years and the results demonstrate to be both safe and effective for pediatric patients.
Gan et al. (Sun,) studied this question.