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  • Real-Time Evaluation of Diffusion of the Local Anesthetic Solution During Peribulbar Block Using Ultrasound Imaging and Clinical Correlates of Diffusion

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ULTRASOUND ARTICLE
Real-Time Evaluation of Diffusion of the Local Anesthetic Solution During Peribulbar Block Using Ultrasound Imaging and Clinical Correlates of Diffusion
  1. Cédric Luyet, MD*,†,
  2. Kenneth T. Eng, MD‡,
  3. Peter J. Kertes, MD‡,
  4. Arsenio Avila, MD†,
  5. Rajeev H. Muni, MD§ and
  6. Paul McHardy, MD†
  1. From the *Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Therapy, Inselspital, University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; and Departments of
  2. †Anesthesia and
  3. ‡Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre and
  4. §Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, St. Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
  1. Address correspondence to: Cédric Luyet, MD, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Therapy, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Inselspital, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland (e-mail: cedric.luyet{at}insel.ch).

Abstract

Background and Objectives The aims of this prospective observational study were to assess the incidence of intraconal spread during peribulbar (extraconal) anesthesia by real-time ultrasound imaging of the retro-orbital compartment and to determine whether a complete sensory and motor block (with akinesia) of the eye is directly related to the intraconal spread.

Methods Ultrasound imaging was performed in 100 patients who underwent a surgical procedure on the posterior segment of the eye. All patients received a peribulbar block using the inferolateral approach. Once the needle was in place, a linear ultrasound transducer was placed over the eyelid and the spread of local anesthetics was assessed during the injection (real time). Akinesia was assessed by a blinded observer 10 minutes after block placement. The incidence of intraconal spread and its correlation with a complete akinesia was measured.

Results The overall block failure rate was 28% in terms of akinesia, and the rate of rescue blocks was 20%. Clear intraconal spread during injection of the local anesthetic mixture could be detected with ultrasound imaging in 61 of 100 patients. The positive predictive value for successful block when intraconal spread was detected was 98% (95% confidence interval, 91%-100%). The association between clear and no evidence of intraconal spread and effective block was statistically significant (χ2 test, P < 0.001).

Conclusions Ultrasound imaging provides information of local anesthetic spread within the retro-orbital space, which might assist in the prediction of block success.

https://doi.org/10.1097/AAP.0b013e31825541e8

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    Footnotes

    • The authors declare no conflict of interest.

    • Parts of the results were presented during a lecture at the 3rd World Congress of Ophthalmic Anaesthesia in May 2012 in Ankara, Turkey.