A new pilot study from the University of Basel reveals that analyzing children’s breath during surgery could revolutionize how anesthetics are dosed. Traditionally, anesthesiologists rely on indirect signs, such as heart rate or patient movement, to adjust propofol, a widely used anesthetic. But this approach can be imprecise, especially in pediatric patients.
Researchers led by Prof. Pablo Sinues have demonstrated that propofol and its breakdown products can be accurately measured in exhaled breath. In the study, breath and blood samples were taken from ten children undergoing surgery. The results showed strong agreement between breath and blood concentrations.
But there’s more: breath analysis also detected markers of oxidative stress, a physiological reaction to anesthesia and surgery. This means clinicians could not only optimize dosing but also monitor how a child’s body responds to the procedure in real time.
This non-invasive approach could reduce the need for blood tests, particularly beneficial for children and elderly patients. Supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation, this innovation builds on earlier work where breath analysis was used to monitor drugs for epilepsy and diabetes.
By simply analyzing exhaled air, doctors may soon personalize anesthesia and track patient stress without drawing blood, paving the way for safer, more responsive care in operating rooms.
Article written by Angelika Jacobs
03/06/2025
Source:
University of Basel