Peribulbar block combined with general anesthesia in babies undergoing laser treatment for retinopathy of prematurity: a retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Currently there is no agreement regarding which one is the most adequate anesthetic technique for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity. Peribulbar block may reduce the incidence of oculocardiac reflex and postoperative apnea. The goal of this study was to report the outcomes of peribulbar block, when combined with general anesthesia, for the laser treatment for retinopathy of prematurity, in premature babies. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of anesthetic records of all babies who underwent laser treatment for retinopathy of prematurity from January 2008 through December 2015 in a tertiary hospital was performed. RESULTS: During that period a total of six babies was submitted to laser treatment for retinopathy of prematurity, all under peribulbar block combined with general anesthesia. A single infratemporal injection of 0.15 mL.kg(−1) per eye ropivacaine 1% or 0.75% was performed. At the end of the procedure, all babies resumed spontaneous ventilation. No perioperative complications were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Peribulbar block was a safe anesthetic technique in our sample considered.