Safety and efficacy of a nitrous oxide procedural sedation programme in a paediatric emergency department: a decade of outcomes

Abstract

BackgroundNitrous oxide (N2O) has multiple benefits in paediatric procedural sedation (PPS), but use is restricted by its limited analgesic properties. Analgesic potency could be increased by combining N2O and intranasal fentanyl (INF). We assessed safety and efficacy data from 10 years (2011–2021) of our N2O PPS programme.MethodsProspectively collected data from a sedation registry at a paediatric emergency department (PED) were reviewed. Total procedures performed with N2O alone or with INF, success rate, sedation depth and adverse events were determined. Contributing factors for these outcomes were assessed via regression analysis and compared between different N2O concentrations, N2O in combination with INF, and for physician versus nurse administered sedation. A post hoc analysis on factors associated with vomiting was also performed.Results831 N2O procedural sedations were performed, 358 (43.1%) involved a combination INF and N2O. Nurses managed sedation in 728 (87.6%) cases. Median sedation depth on the University of Michigan Sedation Scale was 1 (IQR 1–2). Sedation was successful in 809 (97.4%) cases. Combination INF/N2O demonstrated higher median sedation scores (2 vs 1, p<0.001) and increased vomiting (RR 1.8, 95% CI 1.3 to 2.5), with no difference in sedation success compared with N2O alone. No serious adverse events (SAEs) were reported (desaturation, apnoea, aspiration, bradycardia or hypotension) regardless of N2O concentration or use of INF. 137 (16.5%) minor adverse events occurred. Vomiting occurred in 113 (13.6%) cases and was associated with higher concentrations of N2O and INF use, but not associated with fasting status. There were no differences in adverse events (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.04) or success rates (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.56 to 1.7) between physician provided and nurse provided sedation.ConclusionN2O can provide effective PED PPS. No SAEs were recorded. INF may be an effective PPS adjunct but remains limited by increased rates of vomiting.