rss
Br J Ophthalmol 2001;85:225-227 doi:10.1136/bjo.85.2.225
  • Scientific correspondence

Local anaesthesia for 1221 vitreoretinal procedures

  1. R S B Newsom,
  2. A C Wainwright,
  3. C R Canning
  1. Southampton Eye Unit, Southampton General Hospital and Shackleton Department of Anaesthesia, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK
  1. Mr R S B Newsom, Vitreoretinal Unit, Moorfields Eye Hospital, City Road, London EC1V 2PD, UKrbnewsom{at}dircon.co.uk
  • Accepted 28 August 2000

Abstract

BACKGROUND Vitreoretinal (VR) surgery has been increasingly performed under local anaesthesia (LA) in this unit. The results of an audit monitoring this change are presented.

METHODS Data were collected on 1497 patients including type, volume, and position of the anaesthetic block, type of surgery, complications, and patient reactions.

RESULTS 1221/1479 (82%) patients had LA. They were older than those having general anaesthesia (GA) 63.5 years v 45.9 years; 146 (10.6%) blocks were intracone, 130 (10.6%) peribulbar, and 927 (75.9%) combined. Operations included 436 vitrectomies, 545 retinopexy with or without vitrectomy, and 238 buckling procedures. Some pain was felt by 9.4%, 8.8%, and 19.7% of patients during vitrectomy, retinopexy with or without vitrectomy, and buckling surgery respectively.

CONCLUSION Local anaesthesia for VR surgery is well tolerated by patients, being effective throughout longer and more stimulating ocular surgery.

Footnotes

    This Article

    1. Abstract
    2. Full text
    3. PDF

    Responses

    1. Submit a response
    2. No responses published

    Register for free content


    Free trial
    Individuals may register for a free 60 day online trial to all content.

    Free archive
    The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.

    Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.