Comparison of lidocaine 2% gel versus amethocaine as the sole anesthetic agent for strabismus surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy of lidocaine 2% gel with amethocaine 1% eyedrops as the sole anesthetic agent for one-stage adjustable suture strabismus surgery.


METHODS
Prospective, double-masked randomized trial.


METHODS
Fourteen consecutive patients scheduled to undergo bilateral and symmetrical strabismus surgery under topical anesthesia in one institution.


METHODS
Each patient was randomized to receive lidocaine 2% gel in one eye and amethocaine 1% eyedrops in the other eye as the sole anesthetic agent for surgery. Masking of the patient and surgeon was ensured by administration of a placebo gel and eyedrop as part of the regimen. Pain and discomfort were assessed via a 10-cm visual analog scale.


METHODS
Subjective pain and discomfort perceived during surgery were assessed separately by the patient and the surgeon, and the need for any additional anesthesia was recorded.


RESULTS
A total of 14 subjects indicated mean pain and discomfort scores of 2.6 and 3.2 respectively, for lidocaine gel, and 5.3 and 6.2, respectively, for amethocaine drops (P = 0.01). The mean number of additional drops required by eyes randomized to lidocaine gel was 0.3, compared with 1.6 for amethocaine drops (P = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
In terms of pain control, lidocaine 2% gel alone is a superior topical anesthetic for one-stage adjustable suture strabismus surgery when compared with amethocaine 1% eyedrops.
Yu
Christopher B O
CB
Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Eye Hospital, 147K Argyle Street, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China. cboy@netvigator.com
Wong
Victoria W Y
VW
Fan
Dorothy S P
DS
Yip
Wilson W K
WW
Lam
Dennis S C
DS
D000328:Adult; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000379:methods; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009801:Oculomotor Muscles / Q000601:surgery; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013285:Strabismus / Q000601:surgery*; D013748:Tetracaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D005782:Gels; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D013748:Tetracaine; D008012:Lidocaine