Orbital cellulitis following corneal gluing under sub-Tenon's local anaesthesia

Sub-Tenon's anaesthesia: complications and their prevention

The advent of a new technique that is considered much safer than previously established one leads to its rapid adoption. This usually leads to the identification of previously unreported complications of the new technique, and a re-assessment of its position in clinical care, which is precisely the state of play with the sub-Tenon's block. The sub-Tenon's block was introduced into the clinical practice in early 1990. A systematic recent search of subject headings such as complications of sub-Tenon's block, subtenon, orbital block, orbital block complications, and orbital anaesthesia was performed in Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane database. Indeed there are complications of sub-Tenon's block published as case reports and the exact incidence of these complications is not known. Management and preventive measures of these complications are described. Although the sub-Tenon's block appears to be relatively safer than needle-based blocks but a proper prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled trial is essential for scientific proof that sub-Tenon's block is better than needle-based blocks.

Complications of ophthalmic regional blocks: their treatment and prevention

Complications following ophthalmic regional anaesthesia are rare but are reported during both needle (intraconal and extraconal blocks) and blunt cannula (sub-Tenon's block) techniques. At present there is no perfect technique of ophthalmic regional anaesthesia. This article reports on the complications, treatment and prevention of commonly used ophthalmic regional blocks. Thorough knowledge of the measures required to deal with complications when they occur are of paramount importance for safe clinical practice.