comparative study between pre-emptive peribulbar block and intravenous fentanyl in pediatric vitreoretinal surgery

In a prospective, randomized, single-blind study, 90 children [ages 7-14 years] were allocated to receive peribulbar block [n = 45] or intravenous fentanyl 1 mg/kg [n = 45] after the induction of general anesthesia. The number of children requiring intraoperative supplemental analgesia, number of incidence of oculocardiac reflex, requirement for additional analgesic, postoperative pain intensity, emetic episodes and parental assessment of the child's postoperative comfort at 24 hours were compared. The study concluded that peribulbar block appears to be safer and of a clinical superiority over the use of intravenous fentanyl for pediatric VR surgery