Evaluation of risk factors for postoperative prolonged intubation in premature infants after cryotherapy for retinopathy of prematurity.

OBJECTIVE: Premature infants are more prone to cardiorespiratory complications after surgery than term infants. Risk factors for postoperative apnea include post-conception age, gestational age, postnatal age, birth weight, history of respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, anemia, necrotizing enterocolitis, use of opioids or nondepolarizing muscle relaxants, aminophylline use, history of apnea, body weight at operation, and pre-existing disease. The aim of this study was to identify the most important factors associated with postoperative extubation and respiratory outcomes among premature infants undergoing cryotherapy for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical records of 62 premature infants, with mean +/- standard deviation gestational age of 26.4 +/- 2.3 weeks, birth weight of 914.8 +/- 208.5 g, postconception age of 37.0 +/- 2.8 weeks, and body weight at the time of operation of 1970.0 +/- 446.8 g, who underwent cryotherapy for ROP.

RESULTS: Only 17 infants were successfully extubated within 2 hours after operation. The most predictive factor for successful or unsuccessful extubation was body weight at the time of operation.

CONCLUSION: Body weight at the time of operation was the most important factor associated with postoperative ventilatory support among premature infants under-going cryotherapy for ROP.