Perioperative Care of Children Undergoing Intra-arterial Chemotherapy for Retinoblastoma

Retinoblastoma (RB) is a rare cancer of the eye, most commonly seen in children. Intra-arterial chemotherapy for RB is a relatively new treatment modality that has gained increasing popularity worldwide. The principal underlying the intra-arterial approach is delivery of chemotherapeutic agents directly to the site of the tumor. This avoids system toxicities normally associated with higher dose of these drugs. The purpose of this continuing education article was to review the features of RB and its treatment, with a focus on the perioperative management of children undergoing intra-arterial chemotherapy at our institution. Intra-arterial chemotherapy for RB is an outpatient procedure and is well tolerated. Adverse events, most often bronchospasm, occur most often during the procedure itself, and tend to be easily managed. We focus on the role of perianesthesia nursing in the care of the pediatric RB patient, before, during, and after intra-arterial chemotherapy.