Eye
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Lacrimal dilator-facilitated incisionless vs. standard sub-Tenon's block: a randomized, prospective and non-inferiority comparative study.
Standard sub-Tenon's block (STB) involves incision (dissection) of conjunctiva and Tenon's capsule with the help of blunt scissors and forceps, insertion of a blunt sub-Tenon's cannula under the Tenon's capsule and injection of local anaesthetic agent. STB is frequently associated with minor complications such as chemosis and postoperative subconjunctival haemorrhage but rare sight and life-threatening complications. To reduce these minor complications, several variations of incisionless STB have been described however, there are no comparative data. One such incisionless STB involves the use of lacrimal dilator which is easily available in the operating theatre. We compared incisionless lacrimal dilator-facilitated with the standard STB for effectiveness, chemosis, and postoperative subconjunctival haemorrhage. ⋯ Incisionless lacrimal dilator-facilitated STB decreases intraoperative chemosis and postoperative conjunctival haemorrhage in comparison to standard STB. Analgesia and akinesia are comparable in both techniques.