Medial canthus (caruncle) single injection periocular anesthesia

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Anesthesiology
• Surgical Procedures

Background:

• Periocular anesthesia is crucial for ophthalmic procedures.
• Traditional peribulbar blocks often involve multiple injections.
• Evaluating alternative anesthesia techniques is important for patient safety and procedural efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the efficacy of a single-injection technique at the medial canthus for periocular anesthesia.
• To compare this novel approach with standard double-injection peribulbar blocks.
• To evaluate key anesthetic and surgical outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study of 151 patients undergoing elective short-duration ophthalmic procedures.
• A single injection of local anesthetic was administered at the medial canthus using a 25-gauge needle.
• Variables assessed included injected volume, onset time, akinesia, surgical anesthesia adequacy, and need for reinjection.

Main Results:

• The mean injected volume was 8.6 mL, with an onset time of 6.9 minutes.
• High akinesia scores (11.6/12) and surgical anesthesia adequacy (4.8/5) were achieved.
• Only 9.2% of patients required reinjection, with a significant decrease in this need after an initial learning curve.

Conclusions:

• Single-injection medial canthus periocular anesthesia is a safe and effective alternative to conventional peribulbar blocks.
• The technique demonstrates a favorable safety profile with no reported complications.
• This method shows promise for improving patient outcomes and procedural efficiency in ophthalmic surgery.