Pediatric Anesthesia Adverse Events: The Thai Anesthesia Incidents Study (THAI Study) Database of 25,098 Cases
Nutchanart Bunchungmongkol MD*, Wanna Somboonviboon MD**, Suwannee Suraseranivongse MD***, Mayuree Vasinanukorn MD****, Waraporn Chau-in MD*****, Thanoo Hintong MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai ** Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok *** Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok **** Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla ***** Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen
Background : The Thai Anesthesia Incidents Study (THAI Study) is the first national study of anesthesia
outcomes during anesthesia practice in Thailand. The authors extracted data of 25,098 pediatric cases from
THAI Study.
Objective : To report patient, surgical, and anesthetic profiles in order to determine the incidences of adverse
events and their related factors.
Materials and Methods : A multi-centered prospective descriptive study was conducted among 20 hospitals
across Thailand over a year from March 1, 2003 to February 28, 2004. Data in children aged 15 years and
younger describing practices and adverse events were collected during anesthesia, in the recovery room and
24 hours postoperative period.
Results : Infants (0-1 year) had a significantly higher rate of adverse events compared with adults (4.6% versus
1.2%). Desaturation was the most common adverse event. The adverse events happened mostly during anes-
thesia (67%). Infants had significantly higher incidences of delayed detection of esophageal intubation,
desaturation, reintubation, cardiac arrest, death, and drug error than older children and adults. Incidences
of desaturation, reintubation, difficult intubation, coma/convulsion, cardiac arrest, and death were signifi-
cantly higher in children with ASA physical status 3-5 than those with ASA physical status 1-2.
Conclusion : Infants are prone to higher adverse events compared with older children and adults. Main
adverse events were respiratory-related and they occurred mostly during anesthesia.
Keywords : Adverse events, Children, Anesthesia, Perioperative period, Incidence
