Technical question for CRNA

[TangoLima]

I'm a senior nursing student hoping to become CRNA one day. I was in the OR a couple weeks ago observing pediatric patients, and had an anesthesia question. Should have asked at the time, but alas I didn't.

I was observing a T&A, and while the surgeon was removing one tonsil, he stated to the anesthesia provider that the airway was swelling at which point the anesthesia provider pushed what appeared to be more propofol.

I don't know a whole lot about propofol or it's mechanism of action, but was wondering if it reduces edema? Didn't think this was a side effect of propofol. Is there another drug it could have been?

Would appreciate any information. I have been really curious about it.

Thanks!

[ralatek]

More likely the surgeon told the anesthetist that the patient was swallowing and hence more propofol to deepen the anesthetic. If there was active swelling of the airway that the surgeon could see, that constitutes a bigger problem and propofol will not do anything for airway swelling.

[TangoLima]

More likely the surgeon told the anesthetist that the patient was swallowing and hence more propofol to deepen the anesthetic. If there was active swelling of the airway that the surgeon could see, that constitutes a bigger problem and propofol will not do anything for airway swelling.

Ok, yes, that sounds like it makes more sense. I really didn't think propofol did anything for swelling, but makes sense if the surgeon said "swallowing". Thanks for the reply.