Subconjunctival anesthesia: an alternative for vitrectomy in mitochondrial myopathy
Ortiz, M.; Andreu, D.; Roca, P.; Vidal, F.
Revista Espanola de Anestesiologia y Reanimacion 44(4): 159-160
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0034-9356 PMID: 9244945 Document Number: 480130
The case of a 63-year-old woman with mitochondrial myopathy with palpebral ptosis and nighttime nasal home oxygen therapy is reported. The patient successfully underwent outpatient vitrectomy with subconjunctival anesthesia, receiving no premedication or sedation during the operation. Subconjunctival analgesia was provided, with prior instillation of an anesthetic collyrium followed by subconjunctival injection of 1 ml of 0.4% bupivacaine and 2% lidocaine. Analgesia during surgery was satisfactory. We review the possibilities of using this technique in patients at high risk of presenting postoperative complications after general anesthesia, and discuss the possible side effects on musculature when peribulbar or retrobulbar anesthesia is provided.