PERIBULBAR ANESTHESIA AND NEEDLE LENGTH

This retrospective audit of 87 consecutive patients undergoing routine cataract surgery compared the effect of peribulbar local anaesthesia using 16 mm and 25 mm, 25 gauge needles to administer the anaesthetic. The effect on optic nerve function was observed, There was a signific ant increase of complete amaurosis in the group where the 16 mm needle had been used. This may be explained by more effective anatomic place ment of the 16 mm needle within the orbit, allowing access to the retr obulbar space via fascial septae, There was significantly more lid aki nesia with the 16 mm needle. None of this group required an additional facial nerve block, as opposed to 14% of the 25 mm needle group. The use of a 16 mm needle is theoretically safer than a 25 mm needle to ad minister a peribulbar anaesthetic, in this review it was also demonstr ated to be more effective.