Single injection peribulbar anesthesia with a short needle combined with digital compression.

Abstract

We compare the efficacy of using a 15 mm to the standard 25 mm needle for performing peribulbar blockade. Blocks were performed on 150 patients using 15 or 25 mm needle length. Digital compression was applied by the thumb and index finger around the needle hub during injection with 15 mm needle. Anesthetic was injected until lid fullness was noted. Inadequate block was augmented. No significant differences were noted between groups with respect to local anesthetic volume, supplementation, and akinesia. Peribulbar blockade performed with a 15 mm needle with digital pressure is comparable to blockade using a 25 mm needle.