Incidence up to more than 40%
Might be occurring together with EEG-changes
Methods usually tried to reduce the incidence: addition of nitrous oxide, premedication with benzodiazepines, early extubation, switching to other inhaled anaesthetics
Propofol maintenance after sevoflurane induction seems to be the best alternative.
A recent study also indicates that a switch to desflurane for maintenance after sevoflurane inhalation induction reduces the incidence of emergence agitation by 50 %
A paranoid delusion is said to be a common feature of this state of agitation.
Information about this phenomenon should be explained to the parents before the procedure.