The effects of EMLA and a topical formulation of 4% amethocaine (Ametop) on pain associated with retrobulbar injection.
Retrobulbar block is commonly performed to provide anaesthesia for cataract extraction. This technique can cause significant discomfort. A prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled trial was carried out to investigate the efficacy of a eutectic mixture of local anaesthetics (EMLA) and a 4% amethocaine topical formulation (Ametop) in reducing the pain of retrobulbar injection. Ametop and EMLA proved to be of similar efficacy, both being superior to a placebo in alleviating the discomfort of retrobulbar block. No significant side-effects were observed with the use of either formulation.
Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Cork University Hospital and University College Cork, Wilton, Ireland.
J
J
Browne
A
A
Raza
I
I
Awad
B
B
Tan
J
J
McAdoo
G
G
Shorten
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008012:Lidocaine; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D011318:Prilocaine; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013748:Tetracaine
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D011318:Prilocaine; D013748:Tetracaine; D008012:Lidocaine