Anesthesia for office-based oculoplastic surgery.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Many common oculoplastic surgical procedures can be performed in an office-based setting. OBJECTIVE: To describe a system of local anesthetic use that provides superb anesthesia administered in a nearly painless manner. METHODS: Combined conjunctival, topical, and injected local anesthesia is used in outpatient oculoplastic surgical procedures. The use of optional adjuvant oral sedation can decrease pain and anxiety in selected patients. RESULTS: We have successfully employed our described system of local anesthesia for office-based oculoplastic surgery. CONCLUSION: In suitable patients, the shifting of operative location from the hospital or ambulatory surgery center to the office provides many benefits to both the patient and the surgeon.