Cryotherapy for threshold retinopathy: perioperative management in a single center

Perioperative management and complications during and after surgery were reviewed in a population of premature infants who received cryotherapy because of threshold retinopathy by retrospective analysis of medical, anaesthetic, and ophthalmologic files. Infants (n=31) who received cryotherapy between January 1, 1996 and January 1, 2001 and were treated during the neonatal period in the unit were included in the study. Cryotherapy was performed under general anesthesia on the neonatal ward. Neonatal and preoperative characteristics of this cohort point to a vulnerable group of infants with a preoperative weight of 1622 g (1519 to 1862 g), bronchopulmonary dysplasia criteria applying in 29 of 31 patients and methylxanthins prescribed in 26 of 31 patients. No single cryotherapy session had to be interrupted because of systemic complications. Still marked cardiorespiratory instability was documented until 36 hours postoperative in 8 patients. Performing surgical procedures on the neonatal ward is a feasible option. Perioperative management in infants who received cryotherapy is used as an illustration of this approach.