title: Anesthesia considerations for vitreoretinal surgery.
abstract: The vast majority of vitreoretinal procedures can be safely, comfortably, and efficiently performed under local anesthesia with minimal sedation. Compared with general anesthesia, properly performed monitored local anesthesia offers the patient an increased level of safety, reduced recovery times, and prolonged postoperative pain relief. Nonetheless, the choice of anesthesia technique must be based on the needs of the patient, the requirements of the surgeon, and the skills of the anesthesia provider, ever keeping in mind that our ultimate goal is a satisfied patient with a good visual outcome.
authors.affiliation: University of Tennessee, College of Medicine, 6401 Poplar Avenue, Suite 190, Charles Retina Institute, Memphis, TN 38119, USA. scharles@att.net
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Charles
authors.forename: Gary L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Fanning
mesh_terms: D000758:Anesthesia / Q000379:methods*; D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000601:surgery*