ABSTRACT
Performing safe and effective regional anaesthesia for ophthalmic surgery is an important skill for anaesthetic and ophthalmologic practitioners. Akinetic sharp-needle blocks are generally safe but rare; sight and life threatening complications occur. Sub-Tenon's block using a blunt canula provides akinesa and is a safer alternative but serious complications have been reported. This review provides an introduction to the relevant anatomy; local anaesthetic drugs and commonly used techniques and a practical guide to their safe performance
Subject(s)
Anesthesia , Heat Conduction , Eye , Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures/adverse effectsABSTRACT
Regional anaesthesia; from plexus blocks to skin infiltration; can be used to provide analgesia for most surgery. Cognisance must be taken of the following when choosing the dose of local anaesthetic agent : potency and toxicity of the drugs the site of injection the volume needed for the block the desired characteristics of the block (motor or sensory block) the patient's physiology