The effect of warming Iidocain solultion on the pain of retrobulbar anesthesia

Abstract

Introduction. Retrobulbar block is one of the choice of local anesthesia for ophta lmic operati ons. The main problem in this technique is the pain during injection of a nesthetic solution , that makes this technique less satis factory for the patient. The aim of this study was to consider the effect of warming lidocain solution on retrobulbar inj e ction induced pain. Material and Methods. Sixty consecutive patients undergoing cataract surgery were randomely divided into two equal warm and cold groups, and received local anesthetic at 20 0 C and 37 0 C, respectively. Standard retrobulbar block was used in all patients. The pain of injection was registered using a n "ordinal analogous scale" before a nd immediately after injection. Results. The results show that pain sensation in warm group was significantly lower th an cold group (P < O.OOOl ). Conclusion.The data indicate that warming the local a nesthetic used in retrobulbar a ne st he sia to body temperature before injection reduces the injection induced pain significantly.Therefore, this method was re commended in retrobulbar anesthesia