Preoperative aminophylline promotes recovery following pelvic-abdominal surgeries

According to a study in BMC Anesthesiology, the use of aminophylline (nonselective adenosine receptor antagonist) prior to pelvic-abdominal surgeries under general anesthesia can enhance recovery without risk of cardiovascular issues.

The study authors compared the effects of various doses of aminophylline on the recovery when used prior to surgery.

Overall, 45 patients planned for pelvic-abdominal surgeries were allotted into 3 groups:

• Group C (Control)- Patients given normal saline IV 100 ml,
• Group A1- Patients given aminophylline IV 2 mg/kg, and
• Group A2-  Patients given aminophylline IV 4 mg/kg 30 minutes before general anaesthesia

Patients’ demographic data, ASA physical status, anaesthesia and surgery duration, heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure (BP), propofol and fentanyl dose, time till bispectral index (BIS) (48 ± 2) after anaesthesia and to reach 80 following the stoppage of sevoflurane anaesthesia, extubation time and to discharge from the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU), and adverse effects of aminophylline were noted.

As found, time till BIS of 48 ± 2 was considerably lesser for group C (70.67 ± 22.50) as compared to group A2 (106.67 ± 34.77 s for A2 group). Time to reach BIS of 80, ROC and extubation time was considerably longer for the group C than group A1 andA2, refer the table and figure below:

Future studies are suggested in various surgeries to authenticate the capability of aminophylline to boost recovery and quick discharge from the PACU, study authors noted.