Adult strabismus surgery under propofol sedation with local versus general anesthesia.

PURPOSE: To compare operating room and hospital discharge times between adult strabismus surgeries using intravenous propofol sedation with local anesthesia versus those using general anesthesia. METHODS: Thirty adult patients underwent uncomplicated strabismus procedures performed by one surgeon using propofol sedation and local subtenon's anesthesia. These were retrospectively matched with adult patients undergoing similar procedures by another surgeon using general inhalational anesthesia. Only one muscle had undergone previous surgery, and no adjustable sutures were used. Times from incision closure to leaving the operating room (Out OR time), and to hospital discharge (DC time) are compared. RESULTS: Propofol/local Out OR times ranged 2 to 8 minutes (mean, 4.8). General anesthesia Out OR times ranged from 3 to 28 minutes (mean, 8.8) (means differ at P<.001). At 10 minutes, 100% of propofol patients left the OR, but only 63% of general patients had done so (P<.001). Propofol/local DC times ranged from 30 to 140 minutes (mean, 64.8). General DC times ranged from 68 to 325 minutes (mean 116.5) (means differ at P<.001). At 60 minutes after completion of surgery, 53% of propofol/local patients had left the hospital, whereas none of general patients had left (P<.001). At 2.5 hours after surgery, 100% of propofol/local patients had left the hospital, but 10% of general patients remained, with two staying more than 5 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Many adult strabismus surgeries may be performed more efficiently with intravenous propofol sedation and local subtenon's anesthesia than with general anesthesia. Times from the end of surgery to leaving both the OR and the hospital are decreased compared with those of general anesthesia. Extreme delays are rare with propofol/local, but they occurred with general anesthesia.     

Penetrating ocular injury following local anaesthesia

A series of 13 cases of globe perforation following local ocular anaesthesia are reported. All cases were associated with cataract surgery. Perforation occurred with the retrobulbar approach in nine cases and with the peribulbar approach in two cases. In two cases the approach for local anaesthesia was not recorded. In 12 of the 13 cases, perforating wound was found in the inferotemporal quadrant. All cases were found to have vitreous haemorrhage. All cases had significant posterior segment injury. Vitrectomy was carried out in nine of the 13 cases. At final review the retina was attached in 12 of the 13 cases. A final visual acuity of between 6/9 and 6/12 was achieved in six cases, four cases had acuity of between 6/18 and 6/24 and three cases had visual result of less than 6/60.     

Choices of local anesthetics for ocular surgery

This article will help clinicians to be aware of their choices of local anesthetic solutions before they make their ocular anesthetic plan based on the specific requirements of the patient, the surgical procedure, and the properties of the local anesthetic. Choices of local anesthetic solutions and additives for both topical anesthesia and conduction blockade are discussed.     

Loco standby anaesthesia during ophthalmological surgery in local anaesthesia

PURPOSE: This investigation was to asses necessity of standby anaesthesia care during ophthalmic surgery performed in local anaesthesia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 457 patients (457 eyes) operated in local anaesthesia were assisted with standby anaesthesia and underwent surgical procedures: cataract, glaucoma, conjunctival and corneal tumors in Ophthalmic Department between April 2001 and October 2001. RESULTS: Anaesthesiological intervention was necessary in 174 cases (8.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Loco standby anesthesia during ophthalmic surgery performed in the local anaesthesia is necessary.     

Assisted local anaesthesia for cataract surgery (ALACS)

This paper describes an assisted local anaesthetic technique which we have used almost exclusively for extracapsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber intraocular lens implant surgery over the last 12 months. This ALACS technique was developed from a combined neurolept-local anesthetic into an assisted local anaesthetic suitable for day-stay cataract surgery. The technique combines the advantages of purely local (retrobulbar and facial) anaesthesia with the advantages usually inherent in a good general anaesthetic. Thus the patient is in a state of general quiescence and psychic indifference throughout the procedure. ALACS provides excellent and long-lasting akinesia and analgesia, with adequate proptosis of the eye which facilitates surgical access. ALACS is suitable for almost all adult cataract and implant surgery. Our results in 104 cases of ALACS are reviewed in terms of visual results and complications both ocular and anaesthetic; the results appear good and the complications minimal. The results of blood gas estimations done intraoperatively in a small number of patients are also presented, and suggest that the technique is systemically safe.     

Outpatient sedation for ocular examination

Outpatient sedation of infants, uncooperative children and, rarely, adults provides an opportunity to perform certain ophthalmologic diagnostic procedures such as tonometry, ophthalmoscopy and various electrophysiological studies (e.g., electroretinography and visual evoked response testing) without the expense and usage of an operating room. Many drugs have been recommended and used; all have limitations. The advantages and disadvantages of the more commonly used agents are reviewed. The known effects of these drugs on ocular function are presented.     

Sodium bicarbonate--an alternative to hyaluronidase in ocular anaesthesia for cataract surgery

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness of 7.5% sodium bicarbonate buffered lidocaine (pH 7.2) with hyaluronidase mixed lidocaine (pH 4.6) for local anaesthesia in cataract surgery. METHODS: This prospective study comprised two parts. Part I: We evaluated the ocular and systematic anaesthetic safety and efficacy of 7.5% sodium bicarbonate buffered lidocaine on 112 consecutive patients undergoing cataract extraction with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. At 12-week postoperative follow up final visual acuity and detailed fundus examination was done. Part II: It was conducted as a double blind, randomized comparative clinical trial involving 120 patients undergoing cataract surgery under retrobulbar anaesthesia. Patients were randomly assigned to one of the two groups: 60 eyes received 2 ml of 2% lidocaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine and 1 ml of 7.5% sodium bicarbonate, (0.299 mmol/ml); the remaining 60 eyes received 2 ml of 2% lidocaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine and 450 units of hyaluronidase (15 U/ml). In the event of incomplete akinesia, retrobulbar blocks were supplemented at 10 minutes. Onset and duration of anaesthesia and akinesia were assessed and compared in both groups. RESULTS: The pH-adjusted lidocaine group did not show any demonstrable variation in blood pressure (BP) or other systemic reaction. No anaesthesia-related adverse ocular effects were observed either during or after surgery. Thirty-one eyes (51.6%) achieved complete anaesthesia and akinesia within 5 minutes compared to 13 eyes (21.6%) in the hyaluronidase group. However, the overall mean onset time of anaesthesia and akinesia, repeat block rate and the duration of the anaesthesia were comparable in both the groups--p: 0.14). Twelve weeks postoperatively 88.39% of patients showed a best corrected visual acuity of 6/18 or better (73.21%-6/12 or better). CONCLUSION: In this study, sodium bicarbonate buffered 2% lidocaine was found to be a safe and effective local anaesthetic, with reduced time of onset, and improved quality of both anaesthesia and akinesia. Sodium bicarbonate (7.5%) may be used as an alternative to hyaluronidase in ocular anaesthesia. It is readily available and is cost effective.     

Extracapsular cataract extraction under local anaesthesia without retrobulbar injection.

Day-case cataract surgery and the need for local anaesthesia are likely to increase. Retrobulbar (and peribulbar) anaesthetic injection is a common technique in cataract surgery, but serious complications are persistently reported. Subconjunctival injection is an alternative that avoids these risks. This retrospective study compares two groups of patients that underwent extracapsular cataract surgery under local anaesthetic. One group (retrobulbar) had uncomplicated retrobulbar injection with bupivicaine and hyaluronidase. The other group (non-retrobulbar) had superior bulbar, subconjunctival infiltration with bupivicaine and hyaluronidase. The operative complications and postoperative visual outcomes were similar in both groups. These results may encourage the investigation and adoption of the subconjunctival alternative to retrobulbar anaesthetic injection in cataract surgery.     

Expanding role of local anaesthesia in vitreoretinal surgery

PURPOSE: Local anaesthesia (LA) is increasingly common in vitreoretinal surgery. However, younger patients often have such surgery under general anaesthesia (GA). We reanalysed the anaesthetic practice for vitreoretinal surgery in our unit over a 19-month period. METHODS: A total of 1003 patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery between August 2000 and February 2002 were studied. Type of surgery, patient pain score to anaesthesia and surgery, need for sedation and incidence of complications related to the local anaesthetic were recorded. Comparisons were made between this case series and previous data from our unit. RESULTS: In total, 920/1003 (91.7%) patients had LA. Total operations comprised 418 vitrectomies, 518 retinopexies with or without vitrectomy and 67 buckling procedures. More patients under the age of 35 years had LA than previously (60.2 vs 35.7%, P<0.001). In 920/920 (100%) of cases, LA was administered via intraconal injection, compared to 164/1221 (13.4%) of procedures previously. Significantly more patients under the age of 35 years required sedation (35.9%) than did older patients (19.2%). Overall, use of sedation was significantly increased since our previous study (20.2 vs 7.8%). Anaesthesia and surgery were well tolerated by patients. There were no cases of orbital haemorrhage or ocular perforation. Complications included bradycardia requiring atropine 1/920 (0.1%) and chemosis 88/920 (9.6%). CONCLUSIONS: LA is well tolerated and effective even in younger patients. Sedation may well be required in younger patients and for procedures involving scleral buckling. The main indication for GA was patient preference. Despite this, such patients accounted for only 5.2% of the total.