Prospective Study of Superior Subconjunctival Versus Retrobulbar Anaesthesia in ECCE with IOL

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness and complications of superior subconjunctival anaesthesia with retrobulbar anaesthesia in ECCE with IOL

Material and methods: This study is comparative prospective nonrandomized study of 2 groups of Extracapsular Cataract Extraction with Intraocular Lens (ECCE/IOL); one received superior subconjunctival anaesthesia and the other received retrobulbar anaesthesia. Patients’ data were collected in aspects of; gender, age, operations, operative time, pain score according to simplified ordinal pain scale as operative processing, including their complications. Data of both groups were compared and analyzed by chi-square test.

Results: 549 patients enrolled in the study; 241 received superior subconjunctival anaesthesia and 348 received retrobulbar anaesthesia. All of the operations had been completed uneventfully in both anaesthetic groups.

There was no statistic difference in age, operative time and anaesthetic effect but chemosis occurred more in superior subconjunctival anaesthesia group. However, retrobulbar hemorrhage, cardio-pulmonary disturbance and eye proptosis were particular complications of retrobulbar block

Conclusion: Superior subconjunctival anaesthesia in ECCE/IOL is feasible, practical and carries no serious complication when compare to retrobulbar anesthesia.