Fentanyl as an adjuvant to the local anesthetic in the peribulbar block for vitrectomy operations

ABSTRACT

Background

Adding certain drugs to the local anesthetics (LA) in peribulbar block (PBB) increases its intensity and duration of action, so we did this research to assess the impact of fentanyl addition to the LA in PBB for vitrectomy.

Methods

Forty patients were divided into:

Control group: They got 9.5 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine (6 ml), 2% lidocaine (1.5 ml), 45 IU hyaluronidase (in 1.5 ml lidocaine), and 0.5 ml saline.

Fentanyl group: They got the same medications plus 0.5 ml (25 mcg) of fentanyl instead of the saline.

Our primary outcome was the duration of the block, and our secondary outcomes were the start of the motor block, scores for globe and lid akinesia, the quality of the block, scores for patient and surgeon satisfaction, postoperative VAPS, and the first request for analgesia and complications from the drugs used or the technique.

Results

The start of the motor block was significantly rapid in the fentanyl group. Additionally, there were notable variations in the length and intensity of the block between the two groups. The postoperative pain score was lower in the fentanyl group. While it was acceptable in the control group, the block quality was perfect in the fentanyl group. Complete patient satisfaction happens more often in the fentanyl group. There were no complications reported.

Conclusion

Fentanyl, when added to LA mixtures in PBB in vitrectomy, decreased the onset, increased the duration of lid and globe akinesia, and improved the quality of analgesia without causing any complications.

KEYWORDS:

• Peribulbar block
• fentanyl
• vitrectomy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.