Anaesthesia in Oculoplastic Surgery

An ideal anaesthetic allows patient comfort and safety coupled with an appropriate level of analgesia and muscle relaxation to enable the operating surgeon to work unimpeded and with control. With the range of local anaesthetic agents now available the onset and duration of action of the anaesthetic can be tailored to each individual patient and procedure. The method of administration, whether local infiltration or a regional block, will be influenced by the operating conditions and the experience of the operator. A local anaesthetic can be aided by an experienced anaesthetist providing appropriate sedation and if necessary, resuscitation. Whilst the vast majority of operations can be performed under local anaesthetic, general anaesthesia is occasionally essential. As in all areas of surgery, teamwork is mandatory allowing the meshing of local anaesthesia, varying levels of sedation and general anaesthesia to provide the ideal operating environment.