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Topical anesthesia can be used in deep sclerectomy, study shows
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PARIS — Topical anesthesia is a viable alternative to peribulbar anesthesia in deep sclerectomy, said one surgeon speaking at the French Society of Ophthalmology meeting.
“In association with small doses of sedatives, [topical anesthesia] is almost as effective as peribulbar anesthesia throughout surgery,” Vanessa Maria Paletta Guedes, MD, told attendees. “Patients only complain of a faint sensation of pain, which is compensated by the benefits of a more rapid and comfortable postoperative recovery.”
The painkilling effects of topical anesthesia were evaluated in 36 patients undergoing deep sclerectomy. Tetracaine 2% and intravenous propofol were used in the topical combination. Patients were evaluated 15 minutes and 24 hours after surgery. Results were compared to the effects of peribulbar anesthesia (lidocaine 2% and bubivacaine 0.75%) in a group of 33 patients at the same time intervals. Pain evaluations were completed with a standard test, Dr. Paletta Guedes said.
“The two groups reported a different perception of pain 15 minutes after surgery. Topical anesthesia was undoubtedly less effective, but the level of subjective pain reported by the patient was only very mild in all the cases. The evaluation made 1 day after surgery didn’t show any significant difference between the two groups,” Dr. Paletta Guedes said.