Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 19, 2026

In vivo Calcium Imaging in Mouse Inferior Olive
08:58

In vivo Calcium Imaging in Mouse Inferior Olive

Published on: June 10, 2021

Ketamine anaesthesia for paediatric ophthalmology surgery

M S Pun1, J Thakur, G Poudyal

  • 1Tilganga Eye Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal Vermont, USA Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA.

The British Journal of Ophthalmology
|April 26, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Ketamine anesthesia is safe and effective for pediatric eye surgeries in developing regions. This study found no major complications, making it a viable option where advanced anesthesia is unavailable.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Anesthesiology
  • Global Health

Background:

  • Access to surgical care for children with vision-impairing conditions is limited in areas lacking anesthesia.
  • Pediatric ophthalmic surgery requires safe and accessible anesthetic options, especially in resource-limited settings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of ketamine anesthesia for pediatric ophthalmic surgery in a developing region.
  • To determine if ketamine can be used reliably in settings with limited anesthetic resources.

Main Methods:

  • A consecutive series of 679 children undergoing intraocular and extraocular ophthalmic procedures were administered intravenous ketamine.
  • Anesthesia was managed by a pediatrician trained in pediatric resuscitation at Tilganga Eye Hospital, Nepal.
  • The study spanned a 5-year period in a developing country context.

Main Results:

  • All ophthalmic procedures were completed without anesthetic complications.
  • No child required unexpected resuscitation or laryngeal intubation.
  • Postoperative dysphoria was occasionally observed but resolved by the first postoperative day.

Conclusions:

  • Ketamine is an effective and safe anesthetic agent for pediatric intraocular and extraocular eye surgeries.
  • Its simplicity and safety profile make ketamine suitable for ophthalmic procedures in developing regions with limited resources.
  • Trained personnel can safely administer ketamine for short-duration ophthalmic surgeries.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Anesthesia and Intubation of Preadolescent Mouse Pups for Cardiothoracic Surgery09:47

Anesthesia and Intubation of Preadolescent Mouse Pups for Cardiothoracic Surgery

Published on: June 2, 2022

Corneal and Limbal Alkali Injury Induction Using a Punch-Trephine Technique in a Mouse Model07:39

Corneal and Limbal Alkali Injury Induction Using a Punch-Trephine Technique in a Mouse Model

Published on: August 4, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Local Anesthetics: Common Agents and Their Applications01:23

Local Anesthetics: Common Agents and Their Applications

Local anesthetics (LAs) are commonly used for various applications in medical and dental procedures. Some of the common agents used are cocaine, lidocaine, and bupivacaine.
Cocaine is an ester of benzoic acid and methylecgogine. It is used to anesthetize and vasoconstrict locally. Currently, it is used primarily for topical applications. It is beneficial for surgeries on the upper respiratory tract, providing anesthesia and shrinking the mucosa. Cocaine in the form of cocaine hydrochloride is...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia01:29

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia

Epidural anesthetics are administered in the fat-filled epidural space, the outermost part of the spinal canal. This technique is commonly employed for pain management and anesthesia during lower abdomen and pelvis surgeries or labor and delivery.
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
General Anesthesia: Overview01:24

General Anesthesia: Overview

Anesthesia is a medical procedure that uses drugs for CNS suppression to enable painless surgeries and procedures. The selection of anesthetics is influenced by their pharmacokinetic properties, side effects, and patient characteristics. Various types of anesthesia include general, local, regional, spinal, and inhalational.
General anesthesia induces unconsciousness in the whole body, while the others target specific areas or sensations. It is administered to minimize adverse effects, maintain...
Stages of General Anesthesia01:22

Stages of General Anesthesia

Various sedation levels offer significant advantages in facilitating procedural interventions for patients undergoing medical or invasive surgical procedures. These levels span from anxiolysis to general anesthesia, providing a spectrum of sedative effects to cater to specific patient needs. Anxiolysis reduces anxiety and is achieved through minimal sedation, enabling patients to remain awake and responsive while feeling more at ease during the procedure. This level can benefit minor...
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview01:24

Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview

Intravenous anesthetics are drugs administered parenterally to induce anesthesia or sedation. Propofol is a widely used agent formulated as a 1% emulsion in soybean oil, glycerol, and egg phosphatide. It induces rapid anesthesia primarily due to its rapid distribution from the bloodstream to target tissues and is metabolized in the liver. However, it can cause significant pain on injection and hypertriglyceridemia. Fospropofol, a water-based prodrug of propofol, lacks these adverse effects.
Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview01:20

Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview

Inhalation anesthetics are drugs that induce general anesthesia upon inhalation. They work by increasing the sensitivity of GABAA receptors or inhibiting NMDA receptors, leading to a decrease in central nervous system activity. The depth of anesthesia can be rapidly adjusted by changing the concentration of the inhaled gas. Some common examples of inhalational anesthetics include volatile liquids like isoflurane, desflurane, sevoflurane and gases like xenon and nitrous oxide. Isoflurane, a...