NEUROLOGICAL STATE IN SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN AFTER TOTAL ANESTHESIA DURING SURGICAL OPERATIONS OF DIFFERENT DURATION

Abstract

This thesis aims to investigate the neurological outcomes in school-age children following surgical procedures performed under total anesthesia, with a focus on comparing the effects of short-duration versus long-duration surgeries. The key objectives are: To assess the incidence of new-onset neurological deficits, such as motor, sensory, and cognitive impairments, in children after undergoing short-duration (less than 4 hours) versus long-duration (4 hours or more) surgical interventions. To evaluate the impact of surgical duration on the length of hospital stay, rate of surgical complications, and long-term functional outcomes in the pediatric population. To explore the potential underlying mechanisms that may contribute to the association between prolonged anesthesia exposure and adverse neurological consequences in children, including factors like hypoxia, cerebral hypoperfusion, and neuroinflammatory processes. To discuss the methodological considerations and limitations of the existing literature, and identify areas for future research to better understand the clinical significance of the observed neurological deficits and develop strategies to mitigate the risks associated with long-duration pediatric surgeries. The findings of this thesis will have important implications for perioperative management, informed consent processes, and the development of targeted interventions to optimize neurological outcomes in school-age children undergoing surgical procedures. The results may also contribute to ongoing discussions regarding the long-term effects of pediatric anesthesia exposure on neurodevelopment.