The effect of combined topical-intracameral anaesthesia on neuroleptic requirements during cataract surgery.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether the addition of intracameral lidocaine to topical anaesthesia during cataract surgery leads to a decrease in the administration of intraoperative midazolam and fentanyl.

DESIGN

Retrospective case-control study.

PARTICIPANTS

The eyes of 124 patients undergoing phacoemulsification were included in the study, with 62 in the intracameral group and 62 in the control group.

METHODS

A single-centre, retrospective chart review of cases between April and October 2007 in which patients had undergone small-incision phacoemulsification with foldable intraocular lens insertion and received preoperatively either topical tetracaine 0.5% with unpreserved intracameral lidocaine 1% (intracameral group) or topical tetracaine 0.5% alone (control group). Intraoperatively, midazolam and fentanyl were administered as needed based on pain and anxiety.

RESULTS

A total of 124 eyes (124 patients) were included. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean intraoperative midazolam doses given for the 2 groups (p = 0.08). The mean intraoperative dose of fentanyl was lower in the intracameral than in the control group (p < 0.0001). A comparison of intraoperative fentanyl requirements between groups using a multivariate regression analysis for age, gender, surgical time, and preoperative fentanyl levels confirmed the lower need for intraoperative fentanyl in the intracameral compared with the control group (p = 0.0037). There were no anaesthetic complications among any of the study patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients receiving topical tetracaine 0.5% with unpreserved intracameral lidocaine 1% during cataract surgery demonstrated a reduction in intraoperative fentanyl requirements. Surgeons performing cataract surgery under topical anaesthesia should consider the addition of intracameral lidocaine 1% to decrease fentanyl requirements and improve patient safety and comfort.