SUBTENONS LOCAL-ANESTHESIA FOR OPTIC-NERVE SHEATH FENESTRATION

PURPOSE: We used subtenon's local anesthesia for optic nerve sheath fe nestration as an alternative to either general or retrobulbar anesthes ia. METHODS: Thirty patients with pseudotumor cerebri, who were unresp onsive to medical treatment, underwent optic nerve sheath fenestration after administration of topical and subtenon's local anesthesia. RESU LTS: When topical tetracaine, in conjunction with subtenon's anesthesi a, was administered at the beginning of the procedure, excellent anest hesia and maximal patient comfort were achieved. CONCLUSIONS: The use of local anesthesia allows for a gain-free, expeditious operation with fewer potential anesthetic complications.