Der Ophthalmologe : Zeitschrift der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft
-
In ophthalmic surgery, children are anesthetized for various reasons. The airway needs special attention as children have higher oxygen requirements and brief periods of apnea can result in hypoxemia and subsequent bradycardia or even cardiac arrest. Most interventions can be managed with the aid of a laryngeal mask allowing minor airway manipulations and thereby reducing the risk of laryngeal and tracheal injuries and laryngospasm in children with hypersensitive airways. ⋯ It has not yet been clarified whether this has an effect on the neurocognitive development of children. Because of this uncertainty the indications for surgery and anesthesia should be assessed on strict clinical requirements. There is, however, widespread agreement that a necessary anesthesia carried out in a correct and controlled manner has no negative consequences for children.