The effect of warming local anaesthetic on the pain of injection during sub-Tenon's anaesthesia for cataract surgery.
In a double blind, randomised controlled trial, we examined the effect of warming local anaesthetic solutions on the pain experienced by patients undergoing a sub-Tenon's block for cataract surgery. In all, 140 patients were randomly allocated to receive either local anaesthetic stored at room temperature (control group) or local anaesthetic warmed to 37 degrees C (study group). Pain scores were assessed using a verbal analogue scale from 0 to 10. There was no significant difference in pain scores between the two groups. We conclude that the practice of warming local anaesthetic prior to performing a sub-Tenon's block does not significantly reduce the amount of pain experienced by patients.
Allen
M J
MJ
Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. drmjallen@hotmail.co.uk
Bunce
C
C
Presland
A H
AH
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006361:Heating; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D013696:Temperature
D000779:Anesthetics, Local