The National Survey of Local Anaesthesia for Ocular Surgery. I. Survey methodology and current practice.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the current usage of the various techniques of local anaesthesia (LA) in the United Kingdom, and safety precautions taken.


METHODS
An observational study of practice of LA in the whole of the United Kingdom was carried out over 3 months in late 1996. Staff in all ophthalmology theatres in the National Health Service were invited to report every LA given for the purpose of intraocular surgery during the first week, and thereafter to report adverse events only.


RESULTS
Participation during the first week was calculated to be 72.8% overall. Anaesthesia techniques for intraocular surgery were: 70% LA alone, 5.8% LA with sedation and 24.2% general anaesthesia. LA techniques were: 65.6% peribulbar, 16.9% retrobulbar, 6.7% sub-Tenon's, 4.4% subconjunctival, 2.9% topical and 2.3% combinations. Of patients who were given LA, 96% were monitored, 84% had an anaesthetist available in theatres in case of a problem and intravenous access was established in 60%.


CONCLUSIONS
Local anaesthesia is frequently used for intraocular surgery in the United Kingdom. A variety of techniques are used, and safety precautions are taken in most cases.
Eke
T
T
Sub-Committee Royal College of Ophthalmologists, London, UK.
Thompson
J R
JR
D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D019538:Health Care Surveys / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017751:Safety Management / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006113:United Kingdom