Vitreoretinal Surgery Under Sub-Tenon’s Block and Conscious Sedation in a Patient with Brugada Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

: Brugada syndrome (BrS), a type of sudden arrhythmic unexpected death syndrome (SADS), is characterized by specific electrocardiogram (ECG) changes, a structurally normal heart, and susceptibility to life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. General anesthesia (GA) is usually used for major surgery in patients with BrS due to concerns that some local anesthetic agents may precipitate critical arrhythmias. The majority of ophthalmic surgeries are successfully carried out under regional anesthesia (RA). The literature does not address the use of ophthalmic RA in patients with BrS except one report of peribulbar block for glaucoma surgery. This clinical case report and the liertature review suggests that for BrS patients presenting for vitreoretinal surgery, a sub-tenon block, with or without sedation may safely be used as a primary anaethestic technique.