Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of pH-adjusted bupivacaine in conjunction with medial orbital periconal block (periocular anaesthesia).
Methods: Sixty consecutive patients undergoing primary vitreoretinal surgery were enrolled prospectively.
Results: Adequate anaesthesia and akinesia with no intraoperative supplementation was achieved in 53 eyes (88.3%). Factors influencing intraoperative supplementation were combined vitrectomy with scleral buckling (p = 0.005) and duration of surgery of more than 2 hours (p = 0.001). No ocular or systemic complication resulted.
Conclusion: pH-adjusted periocular anaesthesia is safe and effective in patients undergoing primary vitreoretinal surgery.