Changes in vital signs during cataract phacoemulsification by using peribulbar or topical anesthesia

To compare changes in vital signs and pain level experienced by patients during phacoemulsification and foldable intraocular lens (IOL) implantation using either topical/intracameral or peribulbar anesthesia.

In this prospective, parallel-group clinical study 46 consecutive patients (mean age 72.9 +/- 8.1 years) undergoing cataract surgery were randomized to receive topical/intracameral (group1) or peribulbar (group 2) anesthesia. Systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressures, hearth rate, oxygen saturation and pain level were recorded before and during the anesthesiological procedure and thereafter during each surgical step.

Diastolic blood pressure during phacoemulsification and after surgery as well as mean arterial pressure after surgery were significantly higher in group 1 compared to group 2. Variability of systolic and mean arterial pressures across the study phases was significantly higher in group 2 compared to group 1. A significantly higher percentage of patients in group 2 compared to group 1 (35.3% vs 3.4%, p=0.007) showed a heart rate reduction greater than 10% from the anesthesiological to the following surgical phase. Higher incidence of moderate pain in group 2 was reported during the anesthesiological procedure (64.7% vs 3.4%, p<0.00001) while higher incidence of moderate pain was reported in group 1 during phacoemulsification (31% vs 5.9%, p=0.047) and IOL implantation (21.7% vs 2.2%, p=0.02).

Our short study seems to recommend the use of topical/ intracameral anesthesia for cataract surgery due to more stable heart rate, diastolic and mean blood pressures. However, further studies enrolling a higher amount of patients are necessary to confirm our preliminary data.