Advances in neurotoxicity of sevoflurane on the developing central nervous system

Background Sevoflurane has been widely used in the obstetric and pediatric surgery.The neurotoxicity effects of sevoflurane on developing central nervous system (CNS) has become the focus of attention.Objective This article reviews the advances in the neurotoxicity of sevoflurane published in recent years.Content The neurotoxicity and neuroprotection of sevoflurane.The contrast of neurotoxicity to the developing CNS between sevoflurane and isoflurane.The mechanism and preventive measures.Trend Future researches are proposed to focus on differentiate the advantages or disadvantages among different inhaled anesthetics for pediatric anesthesia with clinical trials,and explicating the effects of sevoflurane on the developing CNS,and providing possible preventive and therapeutic measures for the neurotoxicity of sevoflurane. Key words: Sevoflurane; Inhaled anesthetic; Neurotoxicity; The developing brain