Comparative analysis of the effects of propofol and sevoflurane anesthesia on intraoperative metabolic, electrolyte, and acid–base homeostasis in children undergoing craniotomy for brain tumors
Received: 2026-10-03
Published: 2026-03-30
Abstract
Background: The primary anesthetic technique used for craniotomy in children with brain tumors may influence metabolic, electrolyte, and acid–base homeostasis and the early postoperative course.
Objective: To compare these changes during propofol- and sevoflurane-based anesthesia and assess their relationship with early complications.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective comparative analysis included 99 children: 51 received propofol and 48 sevoflurane. Before anesthesia, after intubation, and at the end of surgery, pH, pCO2, pO2, SBE, ABE, HCO3-, hemoglobin, hematocrit, K+, Na+, Ca2+, Cl-, glucose, and lactate were assessed.
Results: The sevoflurane group had higher Na+ after intubation and at the end of surgery, higher K+ after intubation, and higher end-of-surgery lactate (1.04±0.34 vs 0.86±0.21 mmol/L; p=0.0005). Drowsiness (16.7% vs 2.0%; p=0.028) and nausea (22.9% vs 3.9%; p=0.013) were more frequent. Acid–base parameters did not differ significantly between groups.
Conclusions: Sevoflurane-based anesthesia was associated with more pronounced electrolyte and lactate shifts and a higher frequency of selected early postoperative complications.
Keywords
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