A new local anesthesia technique for cataract extraction by one quadrant sub-Tenon's infiltration

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Anesthesiology

Background:

• Traditional retrobulbar anesthesia carries risks like hemorrhage and globe perforation.
• Effective local anesthesia is crucial for patient comfort and surgical success during cataract extraction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a new, modified sub-Tenon local anesthetic technique for cataract surgery.
• To assess the safety, efficacy, and patient-reported comfort of this novel technique.

Main Methods:

• A direct transconjunctival infiltration into the sub-Tenon's space using a blunt cannula was performed in 50 patients.
• A mixture of lignocaine 2% and bupivacaine 0.5% was administered.
• Patient discomfort and pain during anesthesia administration and surgery were assessed using a visual analogue scale.

Main Results:

• The technique successfully provided prolonged and reliable anesthesia and akinesia.
• Patients reported a median of 'slight discomfort' during anesthetic administration.
• The median pain score during cataract extraction (extracapsular and phacoemulsification) was 'no pain or discomfort'.

Conclusions:

• The modified sub-Tenon technique is a simple, reliable, and safe alternative for local anesthesia in cataract surgery.
• It effectively avoids complications associated with retrobulbar injections while ensuring adequate anesthesia and akinesia.
• This method offers excellent patient comfort during cataract extraction procedures.