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

The aim of this study was to identify the best sedation/analgesia protocol for laser photocoagulation (PC) of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).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.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.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.