Potentially life-threatening consequences of peribulbar anesthesia

Abstract

Peribulbar anaesthesia is the most commonly used anaesthesia for intraocular surgeries, especially glaucoma and vitreoretinal surgeries. We present a case of a 70 years old man who became unconscious and developed other signs of brainstem anaesthesia following peribulbar block for a combined glaucoma and cataract surgery. Complications with peribulbar anaesthesia are remote but possible. Patients undergoing ocular surgeries under peribulbar anaesthesia should be closely monitored and facilities to tackle such life threatening complications must be available in the operation theatre.

Keywords

• brainstem anesthesia
• local anesthetics
• peribulbar anesthesia