Introduction: The authors consider the type and the incidence of the adverse effects due to the interaction between ophthalmic drugs and general anaesthesia in pediatric ophthalmic surgery.
Patients and methods: The experience included 176 general anaesthesia in 100 children aged between 9,2 months and 11,4 years (mean age 4,9 years).
Results: In the 100 patients we reported: 4 cases (2.7% general anaesthesias) of sinus tachycardia with heart rhythm varying between 170 and 180 beats per minute (3.6%); 5 cases of sinus bradycardia, varying between 60 and 70 beats per minute (3.3%); 3 cases of bronchospasm (2%); 2 cases of psychomotor agitation/disturbances in pre-convulsive state after anaesthesia (1.3%); 3 cases of arterial hypotension (60-70 mmHg) (2%); 7 cases of skin rush around neck and chest (4.6%); 1 case of prolonged apnoea (0.6%).
Conclusions: The clinical manifestations, principally on the cardio-circulatory and nervous system are subjected to critical revision, to foresee the pharmacological interferences and therefore to prepare the necessary measure of medical treatment.