First experience with xenon in treatment of severe trauma in children

Abstract

Introduction. The authors discuss their first experience of applying the inert gas xenon (Xe) for relieving a persistent pain syndrome (PPS) and acute stress disorders (ASD) in children with severe injuries.Material and methods. Seven children with severe trauma were taken into the trial: the five with severe combined trauma after a terroristic attack (Kerch, 2018) and the two with multiple dog bites. All victims had PPS and ASD after the survived fear of death. Xenon had 15–30 % concentration in oxygen . Xe-therapy lasted for 15–20 minutes.Results. During Xe-sessions, patients were sedated. BIS-index decreased from 95.5 ± 2.5 to 86.5 ± 5.0 U (p < 0.05); mean values by Ramsay scale decreased from 5.5 ± 0.5 to 2.7 ± 1.2 scores (p < 0.05). Pain intensity by Numeric Rating Scale for Pain decreased from 4.1 ± 1.8 to 1.1 ± 0.4 scores (p < 0.05). Five sessions were needed for controlling PPS and refusing of analgesics; 12 session for phantom pains; 3 sessions for sleeplessness; 5 sessions for erasing tragic events from the memory.Conclusion. 15–30 % Xe inhalations were effective in controlling PPS and ASD in children with severe injuries.