A survey of current usage of anticholinergic drugs in paediatric anaesthesia in Finland.

Abstract

The aim of this survey was to obtain information about the current use of anticholinergic preanaesthetic medication in children. It was carried out as a follow-up study of the previous survey amongst Finnish anaesthesiologists in 1990. A questionnaire was send to all members of the Finnish Society of Anaesthesiologists. Data from anaesthesiologists taking care of at least three paediatric anaesthesias/week (n= 183) were analyzed. In 1998 only one-third of the Finnish anaesthesiologists routinely used anticholinergics before paediatric anaesthesia. The main indications for routine anticholinergic premedication were ENT surgery (66%), eye surgery (71%) and endoscopic procedures (67%). Anticholinergic drugs were administered principally via the intravenous route (90%) briefly before induction of anaesthesia, and glycopyrrolate was the most frequently used (66%). During the last eight years in Finland the routine use of anticholinergic premedication has decreased. As in 1990 the anticholinergic prophylaxis is directed to ENT and eye surgery, endoscopic procedures and to children younger than 1 year. Use of glycopyrrolate has gained popularity at the expense of atropine and scopolamine.