Anesthetic complications during general anesthesia without intravenous access in pediatric ophthalmologic clinic: Assessment of 5216 cases Journal Article


Authors: Hung, C. W.; Licina, L.; Abramson, D. H.; Arslan-Carlon, V.
Article Title: Anesthetic complications during general anesthesia without intravenous access in pediatric ophthalmologic clinic: Assessment of 5216 cases
Abstract: BACKGROUND? General anesthesia utilizing inhalational agents without intravenous (IV) access for minor procedures is controversial. Eliminating IV access increases efficiency and patient satisfaction; however, the ability to introduce rapid acting medications into the circulation during an unanticipated emergency becomes challenging. The objective of this study was to examine complication risk following pediatric ophthalmologic examinations under anesthesia (EUA) without IV placement. METHODS? A retrospective review of consecutive pediatric patients who underwent EUA for retinoblastoma management was performed from 2004 to 2014. The total number of anesthetics and elective IV placement were identified. Patient characteristics, length of the procedure, laryngeal mask airway (LMA) placement, and complications were also recorded. A survey of specialized ophthalmology institutions was performed in order to ascertain the state of standard practices. RESULTS? Over 10 years, 5216 anesthetics were identified. The mean age and weight of the patients were 2.7±2.0 years and 14.4±6.6 kg, respectively. In all, 298 elective IVs were placed (6%) and 4918 cases (94%) were performed without IV access. A total of 1687 (32%) anesthetics were administered with a laryngeal mask airway (LMA), of which 1389 (82%) did not have IV access. There were no deaths and no unplanned admissions. There were 8/5216 complications (0.153%) which all resolved safely. CONCLUSIONS? The current study shows that it is safe to perform EUA and procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of retinoblastoma in pediatric patients without securing IV access. All emergency post-complication IV placements were successful and no long-term sequelae were seen. © 2016 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA.
Keywords: retinoblastoma; complications; pediatrics; anesthetics; anesthesia; intravenous
Journal Title: Minerva Anestesiologica
Volume: 83
Issue: 7
ISSN: 0375-9393
Publisher: Edizioni Minerva Medica  
Date Published: 2017-07-01
Start Page: 712
End Page: 719
Language: English
DOI: 10.23736/s0375-9393.17.11565-8
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC5509492
PUBMED: 28094480
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 2 August 2017 -- Source: Scopus
Altmetric
Citation Impact
BMJ Impact Analytics
MSK Authors
  1. David H Abramson
    389 Abramson
  2. Chun Wai Hung
    1 Hung