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| |  ESCRS: Lower Concentration of Intra-cameral Lidocaine is Equally Effective for Cataract Procedures By Ana Hidalgo-Simón, MD Special to DG News BARCELONA, SPAIN -- January 28, 2002 -- Local anaesthesia with non-preserved 1% lidocaine is routinely used intra-camerally for cataract operations with phacoemulsification. The results of using a diluted version (0.2%) in a large population (over 5,000 patients) were presented at the 6th refractive surgery meeting of the ESCRS (European Society of Cataracts and Refractive Surgeons) in Barcelona, Spain. Arturo Perez-Arteaga, MD, in private practice in Tlalnepantla, Mexico, presented his results of the last four years operating patients using 0.2% preserved lidocaine for anterior segment eye surgery. Dr. Perez-Arteaga started his initial tests four years ago in voluntary patients with blind eyes who needed surgery. He used specular microscopy before surgery, 1 month and 3 month post-operatively. He recorded pain during and after surgery, analgesic use and speed of visual recovery after the operation. Slit lamp exploration was used to record intraocular inflammation and other complications. The results showed no differences in corneal endothelial cell count, analgesic use, post-operative intraocular inflammation and speed of visual recovery. Patient’s pain sensation was also similar. Since then, he expanded the practice to all anterior camera surgery performed in his clinic. "We have performed over 5,000 operations with this formula without inflicted pain on patients, and otherwise reducing associated side effects. Toxicity signs such as cardiac events or allergy were not present in our clinic since we changed the anaesthetic formula", he explained. Over the four years, a total of 68 patients required a second anaesthetic injection during the procedure. The group has also used the formula to perform glaucoma and vitrectomy procedures. "The anaesthetic value of the formula is equivalent to the 1% lidocaine in all efficacy aspects. The only marked differences are its price - the diluted version is far cheaper - and its wider availability, especially in some developing countries", he concluded. Dr Perez-Arteaga plans to perform controlled blind trials to confirm his findings. "I can recommended it wholeheartedly: I have operated on my own mother for cataract removal using this formula", he said.
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