Anaesthesia for paediatric cataracts in developing countries - a systematic review of the literature

Abstract

Paediatric cataracts are now the leading cause of treatable childhood blindness in developing countries. Cataract in children is typically removed under general anaesthesia. To provide an overview of methods of anaesthesia for paediatric cataracts in resource-limited countries. We conducted a systematic literature review of articles published between 1970 and 2015 on the different methods of anaesthesia administration in the management of paediatric cataract in developing countries. Out of 113 articles, forty-four articles were selected for this review. Anaesthesia for paediatric cataract surgery is challenging in many developing countries. Consequently, several centres have developed different approaches for the administration of anaesthesia in the management of these paediatric cataracts. Ketamine alone or with adjunct local anaesthesia is widely used. There is a real need for paediatric anaesthesia resources (human and material) in many developing countries. Many different methods have been reported in the literature. Ketamine anaesthesia with sub- Tenon's anaesthesia appears to be a ‘safe technique’ of anaesthesia for paediatric cataracts in developing countries.

Key words: Anaesthesia, Paediatric, Cataract, Developing countries