Real-time ultrasound-guided retrobulbar block vs blind technique for cataract surgery (pilot study)

Abstract

Background

Retrobulbar regional eye block aims to ensure eye globe akinesia and anesthesia during ophthalmic surgery, and despite the rarity of occurrence of complications due to the blind needle passage while performing either peribulbar or retrobulbar block, some of them are serious and may be life threatening.

Aim

The aim of this study was to estimate the accuracy and safety of real-time ultrasound-guided retrobulbar regional anesthesia in comparison with the blind technique for cataract surgery.

Design

This was a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Methodology

A total of 30 patients who met the inclusion criteria were registered in our research and were divided into two groups: 15 patients received real-time ultrasound-guided retrobulbar block compared to 15 patients who received the block using the blind technique.

Results

One patient out of the 30 was excluded from the analysis, and no statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding the onset of akinesia, numeric pain rating scores, rate of complications, and degree of patient and physician satisfaction.

Conclusion

There were no statistically significant difference between real-time ultrasound-guided and blind retrobulbar regional eye blocks concerning the onset of action, total volume of injected local anesthetic solution, supplemental injection required, pain scores, and degree of patient satisfaction.

Keywords:

• ultrasound
• retrobulbar block
• cataract
• prospective observational study

Author contributions

Zaghloul Foad was the principle investigator and responsible for the idea, the technique, and the paper writing and revision. Badry Ahmed was responsible for data collection, plagiarism revision, clinical trial registry number, editing, and the corresponding author of this publication. Elgamal was responsible for data analysis, consent of the patient, results revision, tables, and figures. Mansour and Elawamy were responsible for data collection and analysis. Elmekawey Ibrahim was the ophthalmologist responsible for the complications of the technique and data collection. All authors contributed to data analysis, drafting or revising the article, gave final approval of the version to be published, and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.