Combined topical-peribulbar anesthesia for cataract surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the anesthetic effect of single-point low-volume peribulbar anesthesia supplemented by topical anesthesia.


METHODS
Private ambulatory ophthalmic practice.


METHODS
Five hundred consecutive patients received 4 cc of lidocaine 2% with 200 units hyaluronidase as 1-point peribulbar anesthesia. This was supplemented by lidocaine 4%, 1 drop every 3 to 5 minutes for 3 instillations. Phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation were performed through a scleral tunnel or clear corneal approach. All patients were evaluated for intraoperative akinesia, lid closure, and anesthesia. One hour after surgery, the eye patch was removed and patients were evaluated for pain, discomfort, foreign-body sensation, diplopia, and lid closure.


RESULTS
All patients had no pain to mild discomfort during surgery; 34% had total and 58% partial akinesia; 78% had poor orbicularis action (lid closure); 12% had subconjunctival hemorrhage. Postoperatively, 42% of patients had foreign-body sensation caused by conjunctival coaptation by diathermy or corneal edema. Diplopia occurred in 32% of patients but resolved within 1 hour after eye-patch removal, and partial ptosis occurred in 58%, resolving within 2 hours of patch removal. All patients had normal lid closure when the eye patch was removed.


CONCLUSIONS
Low-volume 1-point peribulbar anesthesia supplemented by topical anesthesia was safe and effective and provided early visual recovery. Topical therapy can be started 1 hour postoperatively.
Kothari
K
K
Bombay City Eye Institute, Maharashtra, India.
Shah
J
J
Shah
M
M
Gaonkar
M
M
Daftary
M
M
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000379:methods*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005133:Eye Movements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009915:Orbit / Q000187:drug effects*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018918:Phacoemulsification
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D008012:Lidocaine