O C T O B E R 2 0 1 6 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 3 5
Take the Fear Out of Mask Induction for Kids
How to help your pediatric patients get over their fear of going under.
P
ediatric induction can be one of the most stressful moments
for a child undergoing surgery. Fifty percent of children expe-
rience anxiety at induction of anesthesia, according to one
study (osmag.net/wrwnj2). Crying, kicking, hitting, and other forms
of physical and verbal resistance to the noxious gases often necessi-
tate the need to restrain the child so you can force the mask on his
face, euphemistically referred to as brutane (brute force + sevoflu-
rane).
Predictors for "noncompliant children" include younger age and shy
temperament, but any child can throw a tantrum once you place the
anesthesia mask. No amount of bubblegum flavoring can disguise the
scent of sevoflurane and there aren't enough princess stickers, sing-
Anesthesia Alert
Diane Manzella Miller, MHS, CRNA
• BRUTANE
Staff restrain a child so they can force the mask over her face, a distressing practice known as brutane (brute force + sevoflurane).
Diane
Manzella
Miller,
MHS,
CRNA
