What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Pediatric non-operating room anesthesia (NORA) (n=234). Intervention: Pediatric non-operating room anesthesia practices. Primary outcome: Pediatric NORA practices, resources, and reported complications.

What does this research mean for the field?

Pediatric non-operating room anesthesia in Saudi Arabia is predominantly used for imaging procedures and is generally supported by appropriate infrastructure and monitoring, though variations in resource availability indicate a need for further standardization. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To assess pediatric non-operating room anesthesia practices, infrastructure, equipment availability, and reported post-procedural complications among anesthesiologists in Saudi Arabia.

September 8, 2026HealthcareOpen Access

Pediatric Non-Operating Room Anesthesia in Saudi Arabia: Practices, Resources, and Reported Post-Procedural Complications: A Cross-Sectional Survey

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Key result

Pediatric NORA relies primarily on general anesthesia, with MRI driving ~98% of cases.

n=234

Why the study?

The use of pediatric non-operating room anesthesia has increased substantially, yet information regarding current practices in Saudi Arabia remains limited.

Key Points

To assess pediatric non-operating room anesthesia practices, infrastructure, equipment availability, and reported post-procedural complications among anesthesiologists in Saudi Arabia.
A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 234 anesthesiologists practicing in Saudi Arabia across Ministry of Health, private, university, National Guard, and military hospitals.
The survey collected data regarding procedural indications, patient selection criteria, staffing, facility infrastructure, monitoring modalities, anesthetic agents, and post-procedural complications.
Magnetic resonance imaging (97.9%) and computed tomography (85.5%) were the most common indications, with general anesthesia (80.8%) and deep sedation (70.1%) used most frequently.
Pulse oximetry (99.6%), electrocardiography (93.2%), and capnography (91.5%) were widely utilized, but defibrillators were available in only 51.7% of settings and safety checklists in 65.4%.
The complications most frequently reported by respondents were delayed recovery (35.5%), agitation or delirium (27.4%), cough (21.8%), and nausea or vomiting (17.5%).

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=234)

Structured PICO

Population

234 anesthesiologists in Saudi Arabia surveyed regarding pediatric non-operating room anesthesia practices, resources, and complications.

Outcome

Pediatric non-operating room anesthesia (NORA) practices, resources, and reported complications

Pediatric NORA in Saudi Arabia is commonly performed for imaging procedures with appropriate infrastructure, though variations in resource availability and emergency preparedness highlight areas for standardization.

Limitations

Self-reported responses may not fully reflect actual clinical practice
Convenience sample of anesthesiologists raises the possibility of selection bias
Unknown response rate
Responses were obtained from individual anesthesiologists rather than institutions
Reported complications were based on participants' recollection and not linked to specific procedures or objectively recorded clinical outcomes
Relied on self-reported responses which may not fully reflect actual clinical practice
Convenience sample of anesthesiologists with unknown response rate, raising possibility of selection bias
Reported complications were based on recollection and not linked to specific procedures or objective outcomes
Did not collect information on pediatric NORA case volume or adherence to specific guidelines
Questionnaire items relied on clinical judgment without standardized operational definitions

Implication

Survey data map pediatric NORA patterns for imaging in Saudi Arabia; leaves open need for prospective safety and standardization studies.

Abstract

Background: The use of pediatric non-operating room anesthesia (NORA) has increased substantially, yet information regarding current practices in Saudi Arabia remains limited. This study assessed pediatric NORA practices, resources, and reported complications among anesthesiologists in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among anesthesiologists practicing in Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire collected information on participant characteristics, indications for pediatric NORA, patient selection criteria, staffing patterns, infrastructure and equipment availability, anesthetic and monitoring practices, recovery arrangements, and post-procedural complications. Results: A total of 234 anesthesiologists participated. Magnetic resonance imaging (97.9%) and computed tomography (85.5%) were the most common indications. Most participants accepted patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I–III (65.8%) and reported no age restrictions (62.8%). Hospital infrastructure was considered appropriate by 85.0% of respondents. Pulse oximetry (99.6%), electrocardiography (93.2%), capnography (91.5%), and noninvasive blood pressure monitoring (89.7%) were widely used. General anesthesia (80.8%) and deep sedation (70.1%) were the most frequently used techniques. Propofol (88.9%), midazolam (82.5%), and ketamine (73.9%) were the most used sedative agents. Recovery most frequently occurred in dedicated recovery rooms (88.9%). The complications most frequently reported by respondents were delayed recovery (35.5%), agitation or delirium (27.4%), cough (21.8%), and nausea or vomiting (17.5%). Conclusions: Pediatric NORA in Saudi Arabia is commonly performed for imaging procedures and is generally supported by appropriate infrastructure and monitoring practices. Nevertheless, variations in resource availability highlight opportunities for further standardization and quality improvement.

Discussion

No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.

Cite This Study

Arab et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Pediatric non-operating room anesthesia (NORA) (n=234). Pediatric non-operating room anesthesia practices was evaluated on Pediatric NORA practices, resources, and reported complications. Pediatric NORA in Saudi Arabia is most commonly performed for MRI (97.9%) and CT (85.5%), with general anesthesia (80.8%) and deep sedation (70.1%) being the most frequently used techniques.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9fc6ea684b366da041e52d https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14172879

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Implication

Survey data map pediatric NORA patterns for imaging in Saudi Arabia; leaves open need for prospective safety and standardization studies.

Pediatric Non-Operating Room Anesthesia in Saudi Arabia: Practices, Resources, and Reported Post-Procedural Complications: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Limitations

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Pediatric Non-Operating Room Anesthesia in Saudi Arabia: Practices, Resources, and Reported Post-Procedural Complications: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Limitations

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Keep reading

Keep reading