Comparative study between combined general anesthesia with peribulbar block versus traditional general anesthesia in patients undergoing strabismus surgery

Abstract

Introduction: Strabismus is a common ophthalmic problem that usually requires surgical correction. However, general anesthesia is mandatory for most cases, concomitant local anesthetics administration is preferable to improve patient satisfaction, decrease post-operative analgesic requirements, post-operative pain and oculocardiac reflex (OCR), which is a noted serious com-plication that accompanies such surgeries. Aim of the study: The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of adding peribulbar block (PBB) to general anesthesia on incidence of oculocardiac reflex, postoperative pain, nausea, and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing unilateral strabismus surgery. Subjects and Methods: 70 patients undergoing strabismus surgery were recruited in the current study. Participants were equally divided into two groups; Group (1) didn’t receive PBB, while Group (2) had a combination of general anesthesia and PBB. Pain evaluation by visual analog score (VAS) was assessed at 2-, 6-, 12-, and 24-hours post-operation. Results: Incidence of OCR was higher in group (1) than in group (2) (25.7% vs. 5.7%), which was a statistically significant, P=0.022. Also, incidence of nausea and vomiting (PONV) was a statistically significantly higher in group (1) than in group 2 (42.9% vs. 17.1%), P=0.019. As regarding VAS score for pain was statistically significantly lower in group (2) than group (1) at two hours (40 vs. 20), six hours (40 vs. 20), twelve hours (20 vs. 0), and twenty-four hours P<0.0001. Conclusion: PBB had a great benefit in strabismus surgery when combined with general anesthesia. It reduced the incidence of OCR, post-operative pain score, and PONV.