The use of peribulbar anaesthesia in paediatric cataract surgery (age 7-15 years) in a mobile eye camp in China.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the use of peribulbar anaesthesia (PA) in paediatric cataract surgery in rural areas in China, where there are limitations in expertise and equipment for general anaesthesia (GA).


METHODS
We prospectively evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of carrying out paediatric cataract surgery under PA in children aged 7-15 years. Informed consent was obtained from the subjects and their parents. Children were assessed for their suitability for PA. Peribulbar anaesthesia was given as a peribulbar block using a 2% lidocaine, 0.5% bupivacaine-hyaluronidase mixture administered before lens aspiration with intraocular lens implantation. The acceptability of the PA was evaluated by questionnaire.


RESULTS
A total of 19 patients were recruited. Their mean age was 12 +/- 2 years (range 7-15 years). None required conversion to GA. All subjects regarded PA as either totally acceptable (63.2%) or acceptable (36.8%). The mean pain scores (from 0 to 100) during the injection and surgery were 28 +/- 26 and 6 +/- 8, respectively. Seventeen patients (89.5%) said they would prefer PA if choices in anaesthesia were offered again.


CONCLUSIONS
Peribulbar anaesthesia can be considered as a viable option in selected children undergoing cataract surgery when facilities for safe and optimal general anaesthesia are unavailable.
Fan
Dorothy S P
DS
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Eye Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
Tang
Emily W H
EW
Rao
Srinivas K
SK
Xiu-Qin
Zhao
Z
Lam
Dennis S C
DS
D000293:Adolescent; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000379:methods*; D019162:Anesthetics, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002681:China; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular / Q000379:methods; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008952:Mobile Health Units; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012424:Rural Population
D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D008012:Lidocaine; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; D002045:Bupivacaine