A comparative evaluation of sub-Tenon's anesthesia versus peribulbar anesthesia in manual small-incision cataract surgery

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare analgesic, akinetic effects, and safety profile of sub-Tenon's and peribulbar anesthesia in manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS). Materials and Methods: In a hospital-based randomized, comparative study, patients who fulfilled inclusion criteria and who have been posted for elective surgery for uncomplicated cataracts were randomized to receive either sub-Tenon's or peribulbar block. Pain during anesthesia and surgery, akinesia, lid movements during surgery, and complications after anesthesia were assessed. Results: A total of 120 eyes of 120 patients were studied. Of which, 60 underwent sub-Tenon and another 60 had undergone peribulbar block. Pain during anesthesia was significantly less in sub-Tenon group (37/60, 61.6%) than peribulbar group (10/60, 16.6%), whereas pain during surgery was comparable in both groups, 40/60 (66.6%) in sub-Tenon group and 45/60 (75%) in peribulbar group. Peribulbar group has significantly Grade 0 akinesia (31/60, (51.7%) than 0% in sub-Tenon group. Mild complications such as chemosis 34/60 (56.7%) and subconjunctival hemorrhage (37/60, 61.7%) were more in sub-Tenon group than in the peribulbar group, 17/60 (28.3%) and 22/60 (36.7%), respectively. Conclusion: This study has shown that sub-Tenon's anesthesia provides adequate analgesia and akinesia for cataract surgery with minimal and less severe complications. Therefore, sub-Tenon's anesthesia is a relatively safe method with lesser learning curve, effective, and alternate to peribulbar anesthesia for MSICS.