Relationship between perioperative medications and risk of emergence agitation in children after sevoflurane anesthesia: a network meta-analysis.
Pediatric research January 27, 2026 Saihao Fu, Mengrong Miao, Jing Bian et al. 1 citation
A network meta-analysis of 70 studies with 7617 children compared 19 perioperative medications for preventing emergence agitation after sevoflurane anesthesia. Dexmedetomidine, propofol, midazolam, fentanyl, nalbuphine, and ketamine significantly reduced the incidence of emergence agitation. The analysis ranked drugs by effectiveness, with these six showing the most favorable preventive effects. The findings support evidence-based choices for pediatric anesthesia practice.