Comparison of lidocaine 2% gel versus amethocaine as the sole anesthetic agent for strabismus surgery.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To compare the efficacy of lidocaine 2% gel with amethocaine 1% eyedrops as the sole anesthetic agent for one-stage adjustable suture strabismus surgery.

DESIGN:

Prospective, double-masked randomized trial.

PARTICIPANTS:

Fourteen consecutive patients scheduled to undergo bilateral and symmetrical strabismus surgery under topical anesthesia in one institution.

METHODS:

Each patient was randomized to receive lidocaine 2% gel in one eye and amethocaine 1% eyedrops in the other eye as the sole anesthetic agent for surgery. Masking of the patient and surgeon was ensured by administration of a placebo gel and eyedrop as part of the regimen. Pain and discomfort were assessed via a 10-cm visual analog scale.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Subjective pain and discomfort perceived during surgery were assessed separately by the patient and the surgeon, and the need for any additional anesthesia was recorded.

RESULTS:

A total of 14 subjects indicated mean pain and discomfort scores of 2.6 and 3.2 respectively, for lidocaine gel, and 5.3 and 6.2, respectively, for amethocaine drops (P = 0.01). The mean number of additional drops required by eyes randomized to lidocaine gel was 0.3, compared with 1.6 for amethocaine drops (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS:

In terms of pain control, lidocaine 2% gel alone is a superior topical anesthetic for one-stage adjustable suture strabismus surgery when compared with amethocaine 1% eyedrops.

• Authors: Christopher B O Yu, Victoria W Y Wong, Dorothy S P Fan, Wilson W K Yip, Dennis S C Lam
• Journal: Ophthalmology (Ophthalmology) Vol. 110 Issue 7 Pg. 1426-9 (Jul 2003) ISSN: 0161-6420 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12867403 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anesthetics, Local
• Gels
• Ophthalmic Solutions
• Tetracaine
• Lidocaine

Topics

• Adult
• Anesthesia, Local (methods)
• Anesthetics, Local (administration & dosage)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Gels
• Humans
• Lidocaine (administration & dosage)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Oculomotor Muscles (surgery)
• Ophthalmic Solutions
• Pain (prevention & control)
• Pain Measurement
• Prospective Studies
• Strabismus (surgery)
• Tetracaine (administration & dosage)