Respiratory arrest after 0.75% bupivacaine retrobulbar block.

Respiratory arrest is an uncommon complication of retrobulbar anesthesia. We present a case in which it occurred following a 0.75% bupivacaine and 2% lidocaine retrobulbar block and analyze the possible causes. We conclude that the most important of these were the relatively high concentration and volume of the anesthetic and a faulty technique.