The effect on intraocular pressure of tracheal intubation or laryngeal mask insertion during sevoflurane anaesthesia in children without the use of muscle relaxants.

Abstract

We studied the effects of sevoflurane on intraocular pressure after induction in children undergoing either tracheal tube (TT) or laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion without a muscle relaxant The study included 38 children. Anaesthesia was induced (8%) and maintained (3-4%) with sevoflurane in 100% O2. No muscle relaxant was used. A TT was inserted in group I (n=20), and an LMA in group II (n=18). IOPs were measured after induction, insertion of TT or LMA and at 1, 2 and 3 min thereafter. The heart rate, mean arterial pressures were also recorded. Intraocular pressures increased significantly in group I after TT (P < 0.01) and remained high until after 3 min. The pressures were similar in the LMA group at all measurements. Sevoflurane does not prevent the increase in IOP after intubation without muscle relaxants. LMA does not increase IOP in children after sevoflurane induction.