Anesthesia in the Ophthalmology Clinic for Infants Younger Than 1 Year Undergoing Retinoblastoma Treatment. Review of 888 Cases
Vittoria Arslan‐Carlon, Peter J. Fusco, David H. Abramson, John G. HagenABSTRACT
Background
Safety data for infants under 12 months undergoing anesthesia in clinic settings is limited. Retinoblastoma, the most common pediatric intraocular cancer, often requires general anesthesia for outpatient ophthalmology procedures in a clinic setting.
Methods
This is a retrospective study of 888 anesthesia encounters in 237 infants (< 12 months) undergoing clinic visits at MSKCC (2014–2024) for the diagnosis and localized intraocular treatment of retinoblastoma. The primary outcome was the incidence of anesthesia‐related complications requiring readmission within 24 h. Secondary outcomes included anesthesia duration, recovery time, airway management approach, and use of opioid or non‐opioid analgesia.
Results
No anesthesia‐related readmissions occurred. Median anesthesia duration was 43 min (0–6 months) and 36 min (7–< 12 months); median recovery times were 36 and 25 min, respectively. Laryngeal mask airways were used in 824 (93%) cases.
Conclusions
General anesthesia in outpatient clinic settings can be safe for infants with retinoblastoma undergoing non‐narcotic‐requiring localized intraocular treatment procedures.