Limbal sub-Tenon's administration of retrobulbar anesthesia using a blunt irrigating cannula.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To eliminate sharp needles when administering local anesthesia to the eye in order to reduce serious complications caused by needle perforation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

After topical anesthesia, limbal conjunctival incision, and sub-Tenon's dissection, a retrobulbar irrigation of an equal mixture of bupivacaine (5 mg/ml) and lidocaine (20 mg/ml) was given using a blunt cannula.

RESULTS

The technique was used in both vitreoretinal surgery (n = 70) and anterior segment surgery (n = 235) with good analgesic and akinetic effects. No serious adverse were noted.

CONCLUSION

This proved to be a safe and efficient technique that abandoned the use of sharp needles.