pH-adjusted periocular anaesthesia for primary vitreoretinal surgery. (41/770)

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of pH-adjusted bupivacaine in conjunction with medial orbital periconal block (periocular anaesthesia). METHODS: Sixty consecutive patients undergoing primary vitreoretinal surgery were enrolled prospectively. RESULTS: Adequate anaesthesia and akinesia with no intraoperative supplementation was achieved in 53 eyes (88.3%). Factors influencing intraoperative supplementation were combined vitrectomy with scleral buckling (p = 0.005) and duration of surgery of more than 2 hours (p = 0.001). No ocular or systemic complication resulted. CONCLUSION: pH-adjusted periocular anaesthesia is safe and effective in patients undergoing primary vitreoretinal surgery.  (+info)

Local and general anesthesia in the laparoscopic preperitoneal hernia repair. (42/770)

OBJECTIVE: The extraperitoneal laparoscopic approach (EXTRA) has been shown to be an effective and safe repair for primary (PIH), recurrent (RIH) and bilateral hernia (BIH). There is very little data examining the merits of laparoscopic repair for hernias under local anesthesia. In this' paper, we compare EXTRA performed under both general and local anesthesia. METHODS: This nonrandomized prospective study was performed selectively on a male population only. Patients with associated pulmonary disease and high risk for general surgery were selected. Patients with recurrence and previous abdominal operations were excluded to decrease confounding variables in the study. A Prolene mesh was used in all patients. RESULTS: Between May 1997 and September 1998, 92 male patients underwent the repair of 107 groin hernias using the EXTRA technique. The procedure was explained to them, and different anesthesia options were given. Fourteen of these repairs were performed under local anesthesia and 93 under general anesthesia. Of the 10 patients who underwent a repair under local anesthesia, there were 8 indirect, 5 direct and 1 pantaloon. The mean age was 53 years. In the group of general anesthesia, the types of hernias repaired were 45 indirect, 30 direct and 11 pantaloon. The mean age was 45 years. The mean follow-up was 15 months. Each patient was sent home the same day. Two peritoneal tears were recorded in the first group. The operative time was longer in the local group (47 +/- 11 vs 18 +/- 3). None of the patients required conversion to an open technique or change of anesthesia. No recurrences were found in either group. The average time of return to work and regular activity was 3.5 +/- 1 and 3 +/- 1 days, respectively. CONCLUSION: There appears to be no significant difference in recurrence and complication rates when the EXTRA is performed under local anesthesia as compared to general. Blunt dissection of the preperitoneal space does not trigger pain and does not require lidocaine injection. The most painful area is the peritoneal reflection over the cord structure. The laparoscopic repair under local anesthesia represents an advantage in the repair of the inguinal hernia, particularly in the population where general anesthesia is contraindicated.  (+info)

Altered globe dimensions of axial myopia as risk factors for penetrating ocular injury during peribulbar anaesthesia. (43/770)

We measured the range of equatorial horizontal widths (EHW) in axially myopic eyes and identified the sites of staphyloma using B scan echography. One hundred eyes in 50 patients were studied. The axial lengths (ALs) were sorted into five groups of increasing severity of myopia. The group mean AL, group mean EHW and the ratio of EHW/AL was calculated for each range. The results suggest that the increase in the AL in an axially myopic eye is associated with an increase in the EHW. However, this increase in the group mean EHW is relatively small (2.3 mm) compared with the increase mean AL (8.2 mm) across the entire range. The ratio of EHW/AL decreased with an increase in the group mean AL. Therefore, the increase in EHW in an axially myopic eye is unlikely to be a significant risk factor for inadvertent ocular injury for peribulbar injections if a careful single medial canthal approach is used. There was high incidence of staphylomas in eyes with AL > 29 mm, most were inferior to the posterior pole of the globe, and there were none at the equator.  (+info)

Prospective evaluation of deep topical fornix nerve block versus peribulbar nerve block in patients undergoing cataract surgery using phacoemulsification. (44/770)

We compared the efficacy of deep topical fornix nerve block anaesthesia (DTFNBA) versus peribulbar nerve block in patients undergoing cataract surgery using phacoemulsification. We studied 120 patients, allocated randomly to two groups. Group 1 (n = 60) received peribulbar block with 5 ml of a 1:1 mixture of 0.5% plain bupivacaine and 2% lidocaine supplemented with hyaluronidase 300 i.u. ml-1. Group 2 received DTFNBA with placement of a sponge soaked with 0.5% bupivacaine deep into the conjunctival fornices for 15 min. No sedation was given to either group. Analgesia was assessed by the reaction to insertion of the superior rectus suture and by questioning during the procedure. A three-point scoring system was used (no pain = 0, discomfort = 1, pain = 2). Scoring was repeated at keratotomy, hydrodissection and hydrodelineation, phacoemulsification, irrigation and aspiration, and at intraocular lens insertion. If the patient's pain score was 0 or 1, no further action was taken. If the pain score at any stage of the operation was 2, intracameral injection of 1% preservative-free lidocaine was given. One patient in Group 2 needed intracameral lidocaine at the stage of phacoemulsification (P > 0.05) and four experienced discomfort at irrigation and aspiration (P = 0.043). We conclude that DTFNBA may be a useful needle-free anaesthetic technique in patients undergoing cataract surgery using phacoemulsification.  (+info)

Comparison of the costs and recovery profiles of three anesthetic techniques for ambulatory anorectal surgery. (45/770)

BACKGROUND: Given the current practice environment, it is important to determine the anesthetic technique with the highest patient acceptance and lowest associated costs. The authors compared three commonly used anesthetic techniques for anorectal procedures in the ambulatory setting. METHODS: Ninety-three consenting adult outpatients undergoing anorectal surgery were randomly assigned to one of three anesthetic treatment groups: group 1 received local infiltration with a 30-ml mixture containing 15 ml lidocaine, 2%, and 15 ml bupivacaine, 0.5%, with epinephrine (1:200,000) in combination with intravenous sedation using a propofol infusion, 25-100 microg. kg-1. min-1; group 2 received a spinal subarachnoid block with a combination of 30 mg lidocaine and 20 microg fentanyl with midazolam, 1-2-mg intravenous bolus doses; and group 3 received general anesthesia with 2.5 mg/kg propofol administered intravenously and 0.5-2% sevoflurane in combination with 65% nitrous oxide. In groups 2 and 3, the surgeon also administered 10 ml of the previously described local anesthetic mixture at the surgical site before the skin incision. RESULTS: The mean costs were significantly decreased in group 1 ($69 +/- 20 compared with $104 +/- 18 and $145 +/- 25 in groups 2 and 3, respectively) because both intraoperative and recovery costs were lowest (P < 0.05). Although the surgical time did not differ among the three groups, the anesthesia time and times to oral intake and home-readiness were significantly shorter in group 1 (vs. groups 2 and 3). There was no significant difference among the three groups with respect to the postoperative side effects or unanticipated hospitalizations. However, the need for pain medication was less in groups 1 and 2 (19% and 19% vs. 45% for group 3; P < 0.05). Patients in group 1 had no complaints of nausea (vs. 3% and 26% in groups 2 and 3, respectively). More patients in group 1 (68%) were highly satisfied with the care they received than in groups 2 (58%) and 3 (39%). CONCLUSIONS: The use of local anesthesia with sedation is the most cost-effective technique for anorectal surgery in the ambulatory setting.  (+info)

Local anaesthetic techniques and pulsatile ocular blood flow. (46/770)

AIM: To compare pulsatile ocular blood flow (POBF) and intraocular pressure (IOP) between eyes of patients receiving either peribulbar (with and without balloon compression) or subconjunctival local anaesthesia (LA). METHODS: 30 eyes of 30 patients undergoing cataract surgery by phacoemulsification were investigated in a study of parallel group design. Ten patients had peribulbar LA and 10 minutes compression with a Honan's balloon (group A). A further 10 patients who received peribulbar LA alone (group B) acted as controls for the effects of balloon compression. Ten other patients were given subconjunctival LA (group C). POBF and IOP were measured using a modified Langham pneumatonometer. Three measurements were made in each eye, the first recording immediately before LA, the second 1 minute after, and the third 10 minutes after LA. RESULTS: No significant change in POBF or IOP was recorded in eyes receiving subconjunctival LA. In the peribulbar groups (A and B), there was a drop in median POBF of 252 and 138 microl/min respectively 1 minute after LA, which was statistically significant in both groups (p<0. 01). By 10 minutes, POBF tended to return to baseline levels, but remained significantly reduced in group B (p<0.05). In addition, there was a significant (p<0.05) reduction in IOP (mean drop of 4.82 mm Hg) in group A following peribulbar LA with balloon compression. CONCLUSIONS: POBF was significantly reduced after peribulbar LA but was unchanged after subconjunctival LA. Balloon compression reduced IOP and improved POBF following peribulbar LA. The findings may have clinical implications in patients with compromised ocular circulation or significant glaucomatous optic neuropathy.  (+info)

Peribulbar anaesthesia with 1% ropivacaine and hyaluronidase 300 IU ml-1: comparison with 0.5% bupivacaine/2% lidocaine and hyaluronidase 50 IU ml-1. (47/770)

The low toxicity of ropivacaine makes it attractive for peribulbar anaesthesia. However, its motor-sparing properties are undesirable when akinesia is important. Hyaluronidase (300 IU ml-1) promotes the onset and quality of peribulbar blockade when used with other agents. We investigated the onset and quality of ocular akinesia in 80 patients randomized to receive 1% ropivacaine plus hyaluronidase 300 IU ml-1 (group 1), or bupivacaine 0.5%/Lidocaine 2% plus 50 IU ml-1 hyaluronidase (group 2). Ocular akinesia was scored from 0 (no movement) to 8 (full movement) every 2 min for 20 min. The groups showed no difference in the rate of onset or degree of akinesia achieved (analysis of variance with repeated measures; P = 0.34). Sixty per cent of patients in group 1 and 55% in group 2 achieved akinesia scores of < or = 4 by 6 min (chi 2 test; P = 0.5). We conclude that both peribulbar solutions produce equivalent onset and quality of ocular akinesia.  (+info)

Haemorrhage and risk factors associated with retrobulbar/peribulbar block: a prospective study in 1383 patients. (48/770)

Patients undergoing intraocular surgery are elderly and may have disease or be receiving medication which increases the risk of haemorrhage. We interviewed 1383 consecutive patients scheduled for eye surgery requiring retrobulbar/peribulbar block about their use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, oral steroids and warfarin. A history of diabetes mellitus and globe axial length was noted. Medial peribulbar and inferolateral retrobulbar blocks were performed by three specialists and six doctors in training. The ensuing haemorrhages were graded as follows: 1 = spot ecchymosis; 2 = lid ecchymosis involving half of the lid surface area or less; 3 = lid ecchymosis all around the eye, no increase in intraocular pressure; 4 = retrobulbar haemorrhage with increased intraocular pressure. Acetylsalicylic acid was taken by 482 (35%) patients, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs by 260 (19%) and warfarin by 76 (5.5%). Lid haemorrhages (grades 1-3) were observed in 55 patients (4.0%); in 33 of these patients the haemorrhages were spotlike (grade 1). No grade 4 haemorrhages occurred. The preoperative use of acetylsalicylic acid, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or warfarin, whether or not they had been discontinued, did not predispose to haemorrhage associated with retrobulbar/peribulbar block.  (+info)