COMPARISON OF RETROBULBAR, SUB-TENON ANESTHESIA AND MEDIAL CANTHUS EPISCLERAL ANESTHESIA FOR 25-GAUGE POSTERIOR VITRECTOMY. Issue 1 (16th January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Roman-Pognuz, Derri; Scarpa, Giuseppe; Virgili, Gianni; Roman-Pognuz, Erik; Paluzzano, Giacomo; Cavarzeran, Fabiano
• Is Part Of: Retina. Volume 42:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 19
• Page End: 26
• Publication Date: 2022-01-16
• Subjects: retrobulbar -- sub-Tenon -- anesthesia -- medial -- canthus -- episcleral -- vitrectomy -- rectus -- muscles -- block; Retina -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Retinal Diseases; Vitreous Body; 617.735
• DOI: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000003260
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0275-004X

Abstract

Abstract : We conducted an age–sex-matched retrospective study comparing pain control and akinesia between retrobulbar, sub-Tenon, and medial canthus episcleral anesthesia with 5 mL mepivacaine hydrochloride for 25-gauge posterior vitrectomy. Retrobulbar anesthesia obtained the best results, sub-Tenon anesthesia proved to be a valid alternative, and medial canthus episcleral anesthesia resulted acceptable. Abstract : Purpose: The aim of the study is to compare the efficacy, safety, and globe akinesia between retrobulbar anesthesia, sub-Tenon anesthesia, and medial canthus episcleral anesthesia for 25-gauge posterior vitrectomy. Methods: A total of 340 25-gauge vitrectomy data sheets were retrospectively collected between November 2017 and June 2019. Ninety patients were included in the study. These patients were matched by sex and age to receive retrobulbar anesthesia (group 1, n = 30), sub-Tenon anesthesia (group 2, n = 30), and medial canthus episcleral anesthesia (group 3, n = 30). Globe akinesia was recorded after the injection of anesthetic at 2, 5, and 10 minute time intervals. Patients were asked to rate the pain during administration of anesthesia, during surgery, and postoperatively using the visual analog pain scale. Results: For a perfect block, at 10 minutes, retrobulbar outperformed both sub-Tenon and medial canthus episcleral anesthesia which seemed quite similar. During administration, the three techniques did not show statistically different effects on pain. Regarding perioperative pain, retrobulbar outperformed medial canthus episcleral anesthesia. Conclusion: All three techniques allowed for safe surgery. Retrobulbar obtained the best results, although sub-Tenon proved to be a valid alternative. Medial canthus episcleral anesthesia obtained mostly good and fair blocks and acceptable pain levels during surgery. Further studies should investigate whether optimal anesthetic efficacy can be obtained with sub-Tenon and medial canthus episcleral techniques when higher volumes are used.