Multicenter observational study comparing sedation/analgesia protocols for laser photocoagulation treatment of retinopathy of prematurity

Objective:the aim of this study was to identify the best sedation/analgesia protocol for laser photocoagulation (pc) of retinopathy of prematurity (rop).study design:this multicenter observational study included five hospitals, each using a specific sedation/analgesia protocol: local anesthesia with oxybuprocaine hydrochloride (group l); intravenous pentazocine (group p); intravenous fentanyl (group f); air, oxygen and sevoflurane (aos) inhalation (group i). the groups were compared for pain responses, vital signs and adverse events.results:heart rates and systemic blood pressures were elevated by pc in groups l and p and groups l, p and f, respectively. moreover, poor analgesic efficacy was recognized in groups l, p and f. in contrast, group i experienced hypothermia, enteral feeding intolerance and apnea more frequently.conclusion:from the viewpoint of sedation/pain relief, aos anesthesia should be the best protocol. however, considering all the various factors together, the most reasonable one can be varied based on the patient’s condition and hospital.