Postoperative quality of recovery with erector spinae plane block or thoracolumbar interfascial plane block after major spinal surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Major spinal surgery causes severe postoperative pain. The present randomized, controlled, prospective study tested the short- and long-term effects of thoracolumbar interfascial and erector spinae plane blocks on patient-centered outcomes for major lumbar spinal surgery. METHODS: Sixty adult patients were randomly assigned to receive either bilateral thoracolumbar interfascial plane or erector spinae plane block after anesthesia induction using bupivacaine 0.25%, 20 mL. The primary outcome of this study was the Quality of Recovery-40 score in the postoperative 24th hour. Secondary outcomes were Comprehensive Complication Index scores, postoperative pain scores, opioid consumption, first rescue analgesic administration time, and complication incidence. RESULTS: The recovery scores of both blocks at the postoperative 24th hour were similar, with a median thoracolumbar interfascial plane block of 178 (IQR 173-180) and an erector spinae plane block of 175 (IQR 168.7-182) (p = 0.717). Thoracolumbar interfascial plane block reduced area under the curve pain with movement over 24 h compared with erector spinae plane block (p = 0.024). The pain scores between the groups were similar at all time points (p > 0.05), except the 24th hour with movement in the thoracolumbar interfascial plane block compared with the erector spinae plane block [median 3 (IQR 2-4)] vs. 4 (IQR 3-5), respectively] (p = 0.019). No differences were recorded between the block groups regarding postoperative 24th-h oxycodone consumption, time to first opioid intake, and complication incidence (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both blocks resulted in similar quality of recovery in the postoperative 24-h period in major spinal surgery and were effective in terms of analgesia.

The effect on perioperative anxiety and emergence delirium of the child or parent's preference for parental accompaniment during anesthesia induction in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy surgery.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric emergence delirium (ED) occurs in the early postoperative period and is defined as a complex psychiatric disorder. Non-pharmacological methods of treatment, such as perioperative parental presence, have been the focus of many studies, but the impact on preventing ED of which parent accompanies the child during anesthesia induction has not been identified as yet. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether the selection made by children undergoing adenotonsillectomy of which parent will accompany them during anesthesia induction has the effect of reducing postoperative delirium scores and incidence compared to selections made by the parents. METHODS: The study included 80 children of both genders, aged 5-12 years, who underwent day-case surgery in the otorhinolaryngology clinic. The patients were separated randomly into two groups of 40. In Group 1, the children were asked to choose which of their parents would accompany them during general anesthesia induction, and in Group 2, the parents were asked to decide who would be the accompanying parent. Evaluation of postoperative delirium was made using the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium (PAED) scale. The anxiety level of the children was evaluated with the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (mYPAS) both in the preoperative waiting area and during the anesthesia induction. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to evaluate the anxiety level of the parents. RESULTS: The mean PAED scores were similar in both groups (mean difference [95% CI]: -0.1 [-2.8 to 0.7]). The incidence of emergence delirium was also similar in both groups (risk ratio 0.9 [0.4 to 1.8]). The mean mYPAS scores during the induction of anesthesia of Group 1 was lower than that of Group 2 (mean difference [95% CI]: -8.4 [-15.2 to -1.6]). The mean mYPAS scores evaluated in the preoperative waiting area were found to be similar in the two groups (mean difference [95% CI]: -1.9 [-7.5 to 3.5]). The mean STAI anxiety scores of the parents were similar in both groups, with higher scores obtained by mothers compared to fathers, at all measurement times. CONCLUSION: The incidence or severity of ED did not decrease significantly even though lower anxiety scores were obtained during anesthesia induction in children who were allowed to make the decision of accompanying parent. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that postoperative delirium is a more complicated process that can be affected by many other variables rather than just the parent-child general interaction.

The Effect of Preoperative Carbohydrate-containing Fluid Consumption on Maternal Oxidative Stress Markers During Elective Cesarean Delivery.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of carbohydrate loading prior to the cesarean surgery under spinal anesthesia on thiols and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized placebo-controlled study. METHODS: Seventy-nine pregnant women planned for cesarean sections under spinal anesthesia at Karaman Training and Research Hospital were randomized into a control group (group C) (n = 42), and an oral carbohydrate preloading group (group OCH) (n = 37). OCH loading requires consuming 400 mL the night before surgery and 200 mL up to 2 hours before anesthesia. Group OCH consumed an oral carbohydrate-rich beverage (Nutricia-Fantomalt), and group C consumed an equal volume of water. This study investigated thiol-disulfide homeostasis after preoperative carbohydrate consumption. Preoperative gastric fluid, volume, antral cross-sectional area, hypotension following the birth, and fetal blood gas parameters were compared across groups. FINDINGS: Thiols and IMA levels did not differ across groups before and after surgery (P > .05). Gastric ultrasonography showed similar antral cross-sectional area and stomach volume between groups (P = .172, P = .128, respectively). When surgery caused hypotension, group OCH received more ephedrine for surgery-induced hypotension, although this difference is not statistically significant (P = .704). A clustered error bar (95% confidence interval) plot with an interpolation line was used for a time-based comparison of mean differences in heart rate and mean arterial pressure between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports that mothers' thiols and IMA levels were unaffected by preoperative OCH loading before cesarean surgery. We did not examine thiol and its derivatives in umbilical cord blood; hence, we can not comment on thiol/disulfide homeostasis levels in neonates.

The optimum time for intravenous cannulation after induction with sevoflurane in children premedicated with dexmedetomidine.

BACKGROUND: Inhalation anesthesia is a frequently used method for anesthesia induction, especially in young children. No information is available on the optimum time for safe intravenous cannulation after inhalational induction in children with dexmedetomidine premedication. The purpose of the present study was to determine the optimal time for intravenous cannulation after induction of anesthesia with sevoflurane and nitrous oxide in children premedicated with intranasal dexmedetomidine. METHODS: This prospective and observational study was conducted by using the up-down sequential method. Children, who were aged 2-6 years with ASA physical status I, and who underwent inhalation induction for elective surgery were included in the study. Anesthesia was induced with sevoflurane and nitrous oxide after the premedication with intranasal dexmedetomidine (2 mcg/kg). Intravenous cannulation was attempted on the dorsum of the hand by an experienced anesthesiologist 4 min after the loss of the eyelash reflex in the first patient. The procedure was considered successful in patients without any movement, cough, or laryngospasm. The waiting time for cannulation was increased by 15 s if the procedure was not successful in the previous patient, and on the contrary, it was reduced by 15 s if the procedure was successful in the previous patient. The probit test was used in the analysis of up-down sequences. RESULTS: In the present study in which a total of 40 patients were included, the effective cannulation time was found to be 14.40 s (95% confidence limits, 1.30-27.82 s) in 50% of the patients, and the effective cannulation time was found as 84.64 s (95% confidence limits, 69.61-218.26 s) in 95% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we suggest that the appropriate time for cannulation is 85 s (1.45 min) after the loss of eyelash reflex in children sedated with dexmedetomidine and induction with sevoflurane and nitrous oxide-oxygen mixture.

Comparing ultrasound-guided modified thoracoabdominal nerves block through perichondrial approach with oblique subcostal transversus abdominis plane block for patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC) causes significant postoperative pain. Oblique subcostal transversus abdominis plane(OSTAP) block was described for postoperative analgesia, especially for upper abdominal surgeries. Modified thoracoabdominal nerves block through perichondrial approach(M-TAPA) block is a new technique defined by the modification of the thoracoabdominal nerves through perichondrial approach (TAPA) block, in which local anesthetics are delivered only to the underside of the perichondral surface. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of M-TAPA and OSTAP blocks as part of multimodal analgesia on postoperative opioid consumption in patients undergoing LC. METHOD: The present study was designed as a randomized, controlled, prospective study. Seventy-six adult patients undergoing LC were randomly assigned to receive either bilaterally M-TAPA or OSTAP block after the induction of anesthesia and before surgery using bupivacaine 0.25%, 25 ml. The primary outcome was assessed as postoperative 24 h opioid consumption, between groups were compared. Secondary outcomes were Numerical Rational scale(NRS) scores, time to first opioid analgesia, patient recovery, using the Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) scale, nausea and vomiting, sedation score, metoclopramide consumption, and evaluating the analgesic range of dermatome. RESULTS: The mean tramadol consumption at the postoperative 24th hour was higher in the group OSTAP than in group M-TAPA (P = 0.047). NRS movement score at 12th hour was statistically significantly lower in group M-TAPA than in group OSTAP (P = 0.044). Dermatomes showed intense sensory analgesia between T7-11 in both groups, and it was determined that there was proportionally more involvement in the group M-TAPA. There were no differences between the groups in terms of other results. CONCLUSIONS: After the LC surgery, ultrasound-guided M-TAPA block effectively reduced opioid consumption, postoperative pain, and QoR-15 scores similar to OSTAP block. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered prospectively at clinicaltrials.gov (trial ID: NCT05108129 on 4/11/2021).

Gastric emptying times of obese and non-obese school-aged children after preoperative clear fluid intake: A prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Liberal fasting regimens, which support clear fluid intake up to 1 h before surgery in children scheduled for elective surgery, are taking their place in guidelines. However, because of the lack of publications that investigate the gastric emptying time in preoperative obese children, the practice of 1-hour clear fluid fasting in obese children remained at the level of recommendation with weak evidence. AIMS: The primary aim was to investigate whether there is a difference in gastric emptying times between obese and non- obese children after preoperative intake of 3 mL/kg clear liquid containing 5% dextrose by using ultrasound. METHODS: A total of 70 children were included in the study in two groups, 35 obese and 35 non-obese, aged 6-14 years, who were scheduled for elective surgery. The baseline antral cross-sectional area measurements of the children in the groups were made using ultrasound. 3 mL/kg 5% dextrose was consumed. Ultrasound was repeated immediately after fluid intake and every 5 min until the antral cross-sectional area was at the baseline level. RESULTS: The difference in median (IQR [range]) gastric emptying times (minutes) of non-obese {35 [30.0-45.0 (20-60)]} and obese children {35 [30.0-40.0 (25-60)]} were not statistically significant (median of differences 0.0, 95% CI -5.0 to 5.0; p = .563). The antral cross-sectional area and weight-adjusted gastric volumes returned to the baseline level within 60 min after the intake of clear liquid with 3 mL/kg 5% dextrose in all children in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Obese and non-obese children have similar gastric emptying times, and these groups can be offered clear fluids containing 3 mL/kg 5% dextrose 1 h before the surgery.

Ultrasound-guided bilateral modified-thoracoabdominal nerve block through a perichondrial approach (M-TAPA) in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized double-blind controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Modified thoracoabdominal nerve block through the perichondrial approach (M-TAPA) is a new technique that provides effective analgesia of the anterior and lateral thoracoabdominal walls by administering local anesthesia only to the underside of the perichondral surface. The primary purpose of the present study was to investigate the postoperative analgesic efficacy of M-TAPA block performed before surgery in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). METHOD: The present study was designed as a double-blind, randomized, controlled, prospective study. A total of 68 patients were included in the study. In group M-TAPA, M-TAPA block was performed bilaterally after the induction of general anesthesia. No block was performed on the group control. The postoperative pain scores, analgesic use in the first 24 h, antiemetic consumption, sedation, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and Quality of Recovery-40 (QoR-40) scores were recorded. RESULTS: Pain scores were significantly lower in group M-TAPA than in the group control, both during resting and motion at all times (p < 0.001 at each time point). The total amount of tramadol consumed in the first 24 h was lower in group M-TAPA [median 100 mg, min-max (0-200)] than in the group control (P < 0.001). Postoperative median QoR-40 scores were higher in group M-TAPA compared with the group control (P < 0.001). There were no differences between the groups in terms of other results. CONCLUSION: After the LC surgery, ultrasound-guided M-TAPA block reduced postoperative pain scores and tramadol consumption effectively. It was observed that the quality of recovery was also higher because QoR-40 scores were higher.

Comparison of iPACK and periarticular block with adductor block alone after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: The infiltration between the popliteal artery and the capsule of the posterior knee (iPACK) has been described to provide analgesia without loss of muscle strength and is effective in functional recovery. This study compared iPACK + ACB (adductor canal block) with PAI (periarticular infiltration) + ACB and ACB alone in terms of postoperative analgesia and functional improvement. METHODS: This double-blinded randomized controlled trial included 105 patients undergoing unilateral total knee arthroplasty. Patients received ACB, iPACK + ACB, and PAI + ACB along with spinal anesthesia. The primary outcome was the area under the curve (AUC) numeric rating scale (NRS) at 48 h. Secondary outcomes were cumulative postoperative analgesic consumption within 48 h, timed up-and-go test, range of motion, length of hospital stay, patient satisfaction, and adverse events. RESULTS: The 48-h AUC movement NRS score in the iPACK + ACB group was significantly lower than in the PAI + ACB and ACB groups (p < 0.05). At the postoperative 48th h, the opioid consumption of the iPACK + ACB group was lower than those of the ACB and PAI + ACB groups (p < 0.001). The patients in the iPACK + ACB group had significantly shorter discharge and mobilization days than the ACB and PAI + ACB groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The adding of an iPACK block to the ACB improves postoperative analgesia and reduces opioid consumption. In addition, this approach improves functional performance and reduces hospital stay.

Assessment of Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter in Patients Undergoing Epiduroscopy.

BACKGROUND Epiduroscopy is commonly used for the evaluation and treatment of low back pain. Saline with or without local anesthetic addition was used to visualize epidural space structure during this procedure. A rapid increase in epidural space pressure is transmitted into the spinal space to the optic nerve sheath. This study aimed to estimate the effects of epiduroscopy on optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) according to the volume of fluid using the ultrasonographic measurement of optic nerve diameter in adult patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixty patients who had been treated for low back pain with epiduroscopy using low-volume (LV) or high-volume (HV) fluid application were enrolled into the study. Measurement of ONSD was performed before (T0) and immediately after epiduroscopy (T1), at 10 min (T2), and 20 min (T3) after the epiduroscopy. RESULTS Both groups showed significant differences over time in ONSD (PGroup×Time=0.001). The HV group showed greater changes from T0 to T2 and T3 than the LV group in ONSD. However, in both groups, ONSDs at T2 and T3 were significantly larger than those with the highest values at T2 compared to T0. CONCLUSIONS Ultrasonography of ONSD presents a good level of diagnostic accuracy for identifying epidural hypertension. In the clinical decision-making phase, this may help physicians to be more cautious about volume when performing epidural injections to treat this disease.

Relationship between serum estrogen concentration and propofol consumption: A prospective observational study of patients undergoing oocyte retrieval.

AIM: Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation results in elevated levels of estrogen during in vitro fertilization (IVF). Although serum ovarian steroid hormones were found to influence central nervous system and anesthetic requirements, the relationship between propofol requirements and serum estrogen concentration in women undergoing oocyte retrieval has not been studied. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between serum estrogen and progesterone concentrations and the required propofol dose for loss of consciousness (LOC). METHODS: Ninety patients undergoing oocyte retrieval for IVF were enrolled. Anesthesia was induced by administration of 200 mL/h propofol (1%) infusion to reach LOC. Anesthesia was maintained with a propofol infusion guided by entropy. The correlation between estrogen, progesterone levels and propofol dose at the time of LOC was analyzed. Emergence time from anesthesia and total propofol consumption were recorded. RESULTS: The mean serum estradiol concentration was 1825 ±1135 pg/mL. There was a significant positive correlation between serum estradiol and propofol dose required for LOC (Pearson's correlation r = 0.28, P = 0.008). Progesterone had no significant correlation with total propofol dose at the time of LOC. Patients with high estradiol levels (higher than the median value) had similar propofol requirement for LOC, total propofol consumption and emergence time with patients who had low (below the median value) levels. CONCLUSION: Although increased estrogen levels create a positive correlation with propofol dose for LOC, estrogen does not seem to be the only factor for anesthetic requirement of patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.

Factors affecting the preference of anesthesia residents regarding subspecialty training.

BACKGROUND: There is scant information about the factors that influence the career decisions of anesthesia residents in Turkey. The aim of this study was to determine the preferences of anesthesia residents in Turkey regarding future career and subspecialty training plans and practice location, and to determine the factors that influence those preferences. METHODS: A 21-item e-questionnaire was administered to anesthesia residents who were registered with at least one of the two societies of anesthesiologists in Turkey. Data were collected on demographics and preferences regarding subspecialty training and future practice location. RESULTS: The response rate of the survey was 41.04%. The percentages of participants who intended to pursue a fellowship in intensive care and algology were 12.1 and 23.1%, respectively; 21.7% of participants did not intend to pursue any fellowship training and the decision of 43.1% of the participants was uncertain. The most popular reasons for pursuing a fellowship were to perform compulsory service in a better place (47.2%) and improve earning potential (43.1%). Forty-two percent of participants did not intend to pursue any fellowship training because of their attention to general anesthesiology practice and 15.2% because of the additional compulsory service obligation following the training. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the desirability of sub-specialization among anesthesia residents in Turkey could be accepted as low. This result seems to be associated with the additional compulsory service obligation.

English-language videos on YouTube as a source of information on self-administer subcutaneous anti-tumour necrosis factor agent injections.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability, content, and quality of videos for patients available on YouTube for learning how to self-administer subcutaneous anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) injections. We searched for the terms Humira injection, Enbrel injection, Simponi injection, and Cimzia injection. Videos were categorised as useful information, misleading information, useful patient opinion, and misleading patient opinion by two physicians. Videos were rated for quality on a 5-point global quality scale (GQS; 1 = poor quality, 5 = excellent quality) and reliability and content using the 5-point DISCERN scale (higher scores represent greater reliability and more comprehensive videos). Of the 142 English videos, 24 (16.9%) videos were classified as useful information, 6 (4.2%) as misleading information, 47 (33.1%) as useful patient opinion, and 65 (45.8%) as misleading patient opinion. Useful videos were the most comprehensive and had the highest reliability and quality scores. The useful information and useful patient opinion videos had the highest numbers of views per day (median 8.32, IQR: 3.40-14.28 and 5.46, IQR: 3.06-14.44), as compared with 2.32, IQR: 1.63-6.26 for misleading information videos and 2.15, IQR: 1.17-7.43 for misleading patient opinion videos (p = 0.001). Almost all (91.5%) misleading videos were uploaded by individual users. There are a substantial number of English-language YouTube videos, with high quality, and rich content and reliability that can be sources of information on proper technique of anti-TNF self-injections. Physicians should direct patients to the reliable resources of information and educate them in online resource assessment, thereby improving treatment outcomes.

Evaluation of the stability and stratification of propofol and ketamine mixtures for pediatric anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: The combination of propofol and ketamine is commonly used for total intravenous anesthesia. These drugs can be delivered in different syringes or in the same syringe. We hypothesized that the drugs might separate and different concentrations of each drug could be found in different parts of the syringe during the procedure period when they were mixed in 1 syringe. METHODS: Twelve 60-mL polypropylene syringes were prepared by mixing propofol and ketamine as 4 groups on the basis of propofol/ketamine mixture ratios (5:1 and 6.7:1) and propofol solution concentrations. Syringes were placed upright in the vertical position into a rack and kept at room temperature (21.5-22.5°C), in daylight conditions and were not moved for 360 minutes. Samples of the mixture were taken from both the top and the bottom of the syringe. The first 1 mL of the samples was discarded, the following second 1 mL of the samples was filtered using 0.2-µm polytetrafluoroethylene filters and measured twice (n = 6). Samples were taken at the following time intervals: T0, T10, T30, T60, T90, T120, T180, T240, T300, and T360 min. Syringes were checked visually for any color change and separation lines between the drugs. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the propofol and ketamine concentrations of the top and bottom samples in all 4 groups. In addition, there were no statistically significant changes of propofol and ketamine concentrations of samples over 360 minutes in any of the 4 groups. No visual changes were observed during 6 hours' observation. CONCLUSION: The results of our measurements demonstrated that mixtures of propofol (1% and 2%) and ketamine at 5:1 and 6.7:1 ratios could be used in terms of mixture homogeneity and stability in a polypropylene syringe during a 6-hour period at room temperature.

Accuracy of identifying the cricothyroid membrane in children using palpation.

Accurate identification of the cricothyroid membrane (CTM) has paramount importance in the event of a 'cannot intubate, cannot oxygenate' scenario. We sought to determine the ability of anesthesiologists to correctly identify the CTM in obese and non-obese children. Anesthesiologists were asked to mark the entry point of the cricothyroidotomy device with an ultraviolet invisible pen on obese and non-obese (BMI < 95th percentile for age and sex) children aged 7-12 years. A correct estimation was defined as a mark made between the upper and lower borders of the CTM and within the 3-mm midline. Twenty anesthesiologists palpated 30 obese and 50 non-obese children. The CTM was accurately identified with digital palpation in a total 55% of children, and there were no differences inaccurate identification rates of the CTM between obese and non-obese children [57 vs. 54%, respectively; median difference 3%; 95% confidence interval (- 20 to 25%); p = 0.82]. Accuracy was not correlated with any demographic or morphometric features of the children. Percutaneous identification of the CTM in children aged 7-12 years was poor and not significantly different for obese and non-obese children. Pre-procedural ultrasonography may help to identify the landmarks for cricothyroidotomy.

High Prolactin Level as a Predictor of Vasospasm in Aneurysmal Subarachnoidal Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a destructive syndrome with a mortality rate of 50%. Recent studies have also suggested a high pervasiveness of hypothalamic-pituitary insufficiency in up to 45% of patients after aSAH. Prolactin has been associated with the pathogenesis of hypertensive irregularities that are linked to pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS We identified a group of 141 patients with spontaneous SAH due to a ruptured cerebral aneurysm; these patients were operated on at our institution's Neurosurgery and Interventional Radiology Department between 2011 and June 2015. All of the data were obtained retrospectively from medical records. RESULTS The hormonal abnormalities observed in the initial 24 h after ictus in subjects with subarachnoid SAH were caused by stressful stimulation aggravated by intracranial bleeding. CONCLUSIONS The elevated prolactin levels that occur in patients with aSAH can be used in conjunction with other auxiliary factors that we believe may be beneficial to vasospasm.

Effect of interscalene block on intraocular pressure and ocular perfusion pressure.

BACKGROUND: Interscalene block (ISB) is commonly associated with Horner's syndrome due to spread of local anesthetic to the cervical sympathetic chain. Postganglionic neurons that originate from superior cervical ganglia form the sympathetic innervation of eye. Decrease in sympathetic tone may change intraocular pressure (IOP) and ocular perfusion pressure (OPP). The aim of the study was to investigate whether ISB affects IOP and/or OPP. METHODS: Thirty patients scheduled for ambulatory shoulder surgery under regional anesthesia with a single-shot ISB (15 mL 0.5% bupivacaine and 15 mL 2% lidocaine) were recruited. The IOP and OPP in both eyes, mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) were measured before ISB and 5, 10, 20, 30 and 60 min after ISB in the beach-chair position. RESULTS: The baseline IOP and OPP were similar in the blocked and unblocked sides (IOP 17.60 ± 1.69 and 17.40 ± 1.96 respectively p = 0.432; OPP 49.80 ± 8.20 and 50 ± 8.07 respectively p = 0.432). The IOP in the blocked side significantly decreased between 10th to 60th min following ISB, compared to the baseline values (p < 0.001). The OPP in the blocked side significantly increased from 10th to 60th min (p < 0.001) whereas, there were no significant changes in IOP and OPP throughout the measurement period in the unblocked side. CONCLUSIONS: ISB decreased IOP in the blocked side. ISB could be considered as a safe regional technique of choice in elderly patients at high risk for developing glaucoma.