Comparison of Two Anesthetic Protocols (Sevoflurane and Laryngeal Mask Airway Versus Propofol Infusion and Facemask) for Eye Examination Under Anesthesia in Children

Children younger than 5 years can be uncooperative during an examination and may render it impossible. The main objective of anesthesia for ophthalmic examination is to provide ideal conditions for optimal exam with a quick onset and offset of anesthesia as well as rapid recovery and early discharge. Two commonly used sedation techniques for young children are: sevoflurane via laryngeal mask airway (LMA) or propofol infused intravenously. Both have been shown to be safe and effective and allow rapid changes in anesthesia depth and minimal postoperative morbidity. However, their induction, emergence characteristics, and side effect profiles may differ. From previous studies, it is still not evident whether propofol infusion using oxygen facemask or sevoflurane administration via LMA is superior with respect to earlier discharge from operating room in children undergoing eye examination under anesthesia (EUA).

In the literature, there are no studies directly comparing those two different techniques for ophthalmic examination.

The aim of this study is to find out the optimal technique of anesthesia for eye examination in children resulting in earlier discharge from the operating room thus decreasing the turnover time between cases and providing optimal surgical conditions, without interfering with the well-being of the child or compromising the airway security.

In a prospective randomized study, a total sample of 60 children scheduled for eye examination under anesthesia (30 in each arm of the study) aged between 1-7 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1 to 3 will be assigned to receive general anesthesia by one of two treatment groups. After induction with sevoflurane 8% in oxygen, patients randomized to group S will be given propofol 2 mg/kg and fentanyl 1µg/kg intravenously and anesthesia will be maintained with sevoflurane via LMA. Patients randomized to group P will be given propofol 1 mg/kg and fentanyl 1µg/kg intravenously and anesthesia will be maintained with a continuous infusion of propofol 200 µg/kg/min with oxygen 3 L/min via simple mask and oral airway if needed. In both groups sevoflurane concentration or propofol infusion will be titrated to keep optimal conditions. The primary outcome is time to discharge from the operating room. Secondary outcomes are surgical conditions, respiratory events, agitation and other side effects as well as recovery times. Normally distributed data will be summarized as mean ± SD and nonnormally distributed data will be summarized as median [interquartile range].

It is believed that propofol infusion and simple oxygen facemask will be associated with earlier discharge from the operating room, and hence rapid turnover and greater efficiency compared to sevoflurane via LMA. This study would have an impact on the current practice for pediatric ophthalmic EUA and may help find out the best technique that decreases the turnover time between cases resulting in higher operating time efficiency while providing optimal surgical conditions and patients' safety.