Summary

The place of sub-Tenon's block in ophthalmic surgery is now established. This block was introduced into clinical practice in the early 1990s as a simple, safe and effective technique. Since then, techniques have evolved, newer cannulae have been introduced and many complications, both minor as well as major, have been reported. This review deals with the recent developments in sub-Tenon's block.

Background and objective: Clinical studies suggest that lidocaine may induce irreversible neurological damage after spinal application in human beings. The mechanisms underlying the possible cytotoxic action of lidocaine have only been suggested from animal studies. This study aimed to investigate if lidocaine exhibited cytotoxic action in a human model widely used for the study of neuronal apoptosis. This is important to know as it may help one to judge on possible neurotoxic risks imposed by the spinal application of lidocaine.

Methods: The concentration- and time-dependent effects of lidocaine on retinoic acid-differentiated human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells were quantified by trypan blue staining, the release of lactate dehydrogenase, immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry.

Results: The local anaesthetic caused a significant increase in the number of cells staining positive for trypan blue, a significant increase of LDH release into the incubation medium, and a significant increase of 7AAD and annexin V binding. Lidocaine induced apoptosis already at 3 mm. At a concentration of 10 mmol 47% of the cells and at 30 mmol 98% of the cell population was necrotic. Both necrosis and apoptosis were time-dependent.

Conclusions: The results demonstrate that lidocaine exhibited neurotoxic effects in a human model established for the study of drug-induced neuronal apoptosis. The results were consistent with the neurotoxic clinical effects of lidocaine. These effects may be produced by more than a single mechanism.

We report a case of superficial parotidectomy performed under local anaesthesia. The patient presented with a parotid lump in which aspiration cytology showed cells consistent with mucoepidermoid carcinoma or adenocarcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma. Despite counselling the patient refused general anaesthesia but accepted the need for removal of the pathology. We have been unable to find a single case report in the English literature since 1966 outlying this procedure being undertaken solely under local anaesthesia.