Effect of Esketamine Applied in Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy on Negative Postoperative Behavioral Changes of Children

Background: Fiberoptic bronchoscopy is currently the most commonly used invasive examination method in clinical practice. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the impact of esketamine administration during fiberoptic bronchoscopy on the occurrence of negative postoperative behavioral changes (NPOBCs) in children. Methods: Ninety children undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy were enrolled and randomly assigned to 3 groups: The control group (group C, n = 30), treatment group 1 (group D1, n = 30), and treatment group 2 (group D2, n = 30). Group C received intratracheal surface anesthesia and sevoflurane inhalation, along with an intravenous injection of 5 mL of normal saline. Group D1 received intratracheal surface anesthesia and sevoflurane inhalation in addition to an intravenous injection of 0.5 mg/kg of esketamine diluted to 5 mL. Group D2 received intratracheal surface anesthesia and sevoflurane inhalation, with an intravenous injection of 0.75 mg/kg of esketamine diluted to 5 mL. Results: The incidence of NPOBCs was lower in groups D1 and D2 compared to group C at 1, 7, 14, and 30 days after the examination (P 0.05). The pediatric anesthesia emergence delirium (PAED) scores were lower in groups D1 and D2 than in group C, with group D2 scoring lower than group D1 (P 0.05). Groups D1 and D2 had a longer time to awaken than group C (P 0.05), with group D2 having a longer time than group D1. The face, legs, activity, cry, and consolability (FLACC) scores in groups D1 and D2 were significantly lower than in group C, and group D2 had a lower score than group D1 (P 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions was lower in groups D1 and D2 compared to group C, and the rate was even lower in group D2 than in group D1 (P 0.05). Conclusions: Administration of esketamine at a dose of 0.75 mg/kg may yield better clinical outcomes.