Current trends in ophthalmic anesthesia. The Second Walter S. Atkinson Lecture

General anesthesia permits surgery involving large operative fields without limit to time. It is essential in children and uncooperative adults and provides an immobile, quiet patient who does not recall the operative procedure. Local and regional anesthesia re indicated when the surgical field is limited in size and extent. Neuroleptanesthesia in ophthalmology usually involves the administration of droperidol followed by fentanyl followed in intubation, sometimes using a muscle relaxant, and maintenance of anesthesia with nitrous oxide. The terrifying dreams produced by ketamine may be minimized by preoperative administration of diazepam and a quiet recovery period. Attempts to eliminate the oculocardiac reflex are unpredictable and unreliable and, with careful monitoring of anesthesia, elimination does not seem essential. Malignant hyperthermia is an autosomal dominant disorder occurring mainly with the administration of halogenated fluoroethane and depolarizing muscle relaxants. It is often signaled by sudden and prolonged muscle spasm following the injection of the muscle relaxant. Treatment must be directed toward hyperventilation using oxygen, correction of the metabolic respiratory acidosis, and reduction of fever.