Subconjunctival versus peribulbar anesthesia in trabeculectomy: a prospective, randomized study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To compare the use of subconjunctival and peribulbar anesthesia for trabeculectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixty patients undergoing trabeculectomy were prospectively randomized to receive either peribulbar or subconjunctival anesthesia. Peribulbar anesthesia consisted of a 3-ml inferior and a 1-ml superior injection of a 1:1 mixture of 2% mepivacaine, 0.75% bupivacaine, and hyaluronidase. Subconjunctival anesthesia consisted of a 1- to 2-ml injection of the same mixture without hyaluronidase in the superotemporal quadrant. Intraoperative pain, presence of eye movements, and complications during surgery were evaluated.

RESULTS

The frequency and intensity of pain was statistically similar between the two groups. All episodes of pain (20% in the subconjunctival group and 6.6% in the peribulbar group) were rated as mild. Eye movement was more common in the subconjunctival group than in the peribulbar group, but it was controlled by verbal command and did not interfere with the procedure. No clinically significant complications occurred during surgery.

CONCLUSION

Subconjunctival anesthesia is an effective alternative to peribulbar anesthesia for trabeculectomy.