title: Remifentanil analgesia during laser treatment for retinopathy of prematurity: a practical approach in neonatal intensive care unit.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of childhood blindness.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of remifentanil analgesia during laser treatment of ROP performed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
  
  
  METHODS
  Remifentanil was infused continuously during the procedure starting with a dose of 0.2 µg/kg/min and increased gradually to 0.6 µg/kg/min to provide an adequate level of analgesia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We enrolled 64 infants. Remifentanil was infused continuously at a mean rate of 0.4 ± 0.1 μg/kg/min. No major adverse effects were observed except in two patients with reversible bradycardia and hypotension. Premature infant pain profile (PIPP) scores revealed no pain. Patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia had similar remifentanil dosage, intubation duration, and extubation time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Remifentanil analgesia for ROP treatment performed in the NICU by pediatricians is a safe and effective modality. This modality offers a practical solution in hospitals without readily available pediatric anesthetists.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Etlik Zubeyde Hanim Women's Health Teaching and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nihal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Demirel
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Etlik Zubeyde Hanim Women's Health Teaching and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ahmet Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Bas
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Etlik Zubeyde Hanim Women's Health Teaching and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sumru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kavurt
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Etlik Zubeyde Hanim Women's Health Teaching and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Istemi H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Celik
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Etlik Zubeyde Hanim Women's Health Teaching and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Husniye
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yucel
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Etlik Zubeyde Hanim Women's Health Teaching and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Dursun
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Turkbay
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Etlik Zubeyde Hanim Women's Health Teaching and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Emre
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hekimoğlu
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Politics, Turkish Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Orhan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Koc
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010880:Piperidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077208:Remifentanil; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D010880:Piperidines; D000077208:Remifentanil