Propofol Sedation in Pediatric Upper Endoscopy: A Study of Pharmacodynamics and the Effects of Gastroenterologists, Anesthesiologists, and Supervised Participants on the Procedure Time and Sedation Time.

Background and aims Propofol combined with fentanyl is a commonly used sedative for pediatric upper endoscopies (UEs). The primary aim was to study the association between propofol dose and procedure and sedation time. The secondary aims were to assess the pharmacodynamics of propofol use with fentanyl and evaluate if gastroenterologists' and anesthesiologists' years of experience or the presence of supervised participants (such as students, residents, and fellows) have any influence on the procedure and sedation time. Methods A retrospective study was performed at the Children's Hospital of Michigan on patients under 18 years who underwent UEs with propofol sedation with fentanyl over a two-year period. Results A correlation was found between the propofol amount used expressed per body mass index (BMI)/body surface area (BSA), procedure time, and sedation time (p < 0.0001). Throat pain was the most common post-procedural adverse event (4.48%). The impact of psychoactive drugs on these events was not statistically significant, but attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication use was related to increased post-procedural pain complaints. The use of prescribed psychoactive medications was associated with larger propofol dose usage (p = 0.007) without a significant increase in sedation time. Individual gastroenterologists, their years of experience, and the presence of supervised participants were associated with different procedure times (p <0.0001, <0.0001, 0.01). Fellow participation was associated with a 1.11-minute procedure time increase (p = 0.04). Individual anesthesiologists, their years of experience, and the presence of supervised participants were associated with different sedation times (p <0.0001, <0.0001, 0.01). Conclusion We found a novel correlation between propofol dosing expressed by the BMI/BSA and sedation time. The UE procedure time and sedation time are associated with individual gastroenterologists and anesthesiologists, their years of experience, and the presence of supervised participants.