New York State Guidelines on the Topical Use of Phenylephrine in the Operating Room

RECENTLY, the New York State (NYS) Department of Health sought the help of physicians after the intraoperative death of a 4-yr-old child was attributed to application of topical phenylephrine by the treating practitioners. A panel consisting of anesthesiologists, otorhinolaryngologists, intensivists, and pharmacists joined state authorities in reviewing this case to determine whether topical phenylephrine use in surgery could be an underrecognized source of morbidity.