A single-centre study of 1000 consecutive peribulbar blocks

Purpose To assess the efficacy and safety of the peribulbar block as practi sed by anaesthetists in a District General Hospital and also to assess the effect of using the 'painless local' subconjunctival injection on the pain of the peribulbar block. Method Audit data collected from 1000 consecutive patients undergoing perib ulbar blocks with 2% lignocaine were analysed. Efficacy was assessed by vis ual rating scores for operative pain, eye movement, intraocular pressure an d reinjection rate, and safety by looking at complications. Comparison of p ain of injection scores was used to assess the effect of the 'painless loca l' injection. Visual rating scores for pain were analysed using the Mann-Wh itney U-test. Results Akinesia was achieved in 79% of blocks and operative pain scores we re very low (median = 0, IQR = 0). All complications recorded were minor an d there were no sight- or life-threatening events. The 'painless local' inj ection given to 499 patients resulted in significantly lower visual rating scores for pain of injection (p<0.05). Conclusion These data suggest that the peribulbar block is a safe and effec tive method of providing anaesthesia for eye surgery provided that it is ta ught methodically and practised by experienced staff. The 'painless local' injection reduces the pain experienced during administration of this block.