Subtenon's local anesthesia for optic nerve sheath fenestration.

Abstract

We used subtenon's local anesthesia for optic nerve sheath fenestration as an alternative to either general or retrobulbar anesthesia. Thirty patients with pseudotumor cerebri, who were unresponsive to medical treatment, underwent optic nerve sheath fenestration after administration of topical and subtenon's local anesthesia. When topical tetracaine, in conjunction with subtenon's anesthesia, was administered at the beginning of the procedure, excellent anesthesia and maximal patient comfort were achieved. The use of local anesthesia allows for a pain-free, expeditious operation with fewer potential anesthetic complications.