PERIBULBAR ANESTHESIA WITH TARGETED INTRAVENOUS ESKETAMINE ANALGOSEDATION DURING ENUCLEATION: A CONTEMPORARY NARRATIVE REVIEW

ESKETAMINE-GUIDED ANALGOSEDATION DURING ENUCLEATION

Keywords: enucleation, peribulbar anesthesia, esketamine, analgosedation, oculocardiac reflex

Abstract


Introduction: Enucleation is an invasive ophthalmic procedure accompanied by pronounced nociceptive and reflex stimuli, representing a significant anesthesiological challenge, particularly in elderly and comorbid patients. Contemporary anesthesiology trends increasingly favor the use of regional anesthesia combined with targeted analgosedation as a safer alternative to general anesthesia.

Aim: To present current concepts of peribulbar anesthesia combined with targeted intravenous esketamine-guided analgosedation during enucleation, with special emphasis on hemodynamic stability, prevention of the oculocardiac reflex, control of perioperative pain, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and the feasibility of integrating this technique into day-surgery protocols.

Methods: A narrative review of contemporary literature in the fields of ophthalmic and regional anesthesia was conducted, focusing on the pharmacological properties of esketamine, the mechanisms of action of the peribulbar block, and the clinical aspects of their combined use during enucleation.

Conclusion: Peribulbar anesthesia combined with esketamine-guided targeted analgosedation represents a safe and effective contemporary anesthesiological approach for performing enucleation, particularly in elderly and comorbid patients. This approach provides stable hemodynamics, preserved spontaneous respiration, adequate pain control, a low incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, and rapid functional recovery, with the potential for application within a day-surgery setting.

References

Calenda E, Benzerroug M, Retout A, Genevois O. Duration of pain after a combination of peribulbar anesthesia and local anesthetic in the ball after enucleation or evisceration: 115 cases. J Clin Anesth. 2010 Sep;22(6):485-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinane.2009.12.008.

Adewara BA, Badmus SA, Adegbehingbe BO, Awe OO, Onakpoya OH, Adeoye AO. Trends in Eye Removal Surgeries at a Tertiary Care Hospital Over Three Decades. West Afr J Med. 2022 Oct 20;39(10):1068-74.

Ali HM, Elbadawy AM. Comparative Study of Retrobulbar Block versus Ketamine Infusion during Eye Enucleation/Evisceration (Randomized Controlled Trial). Anesth Essays Res. 2020 Jan-Mar;14(1):92-9. doi: 10.4103/aer.AER_146_19.

Ye W, Hu Z, Jin X, Wang P. Effects of dexmedetomidine for retrobulbar anesthesia in orbital ball implants after enucleation surgery. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2015 Sep;63(9):704-9. doi: 10.4103/0301-4738.170981. Erratum in: Indian J Ophthalmol. 2015 Nov;63(11):876. doi: 10.4103/0301-4738.171983.

Nagy AA, El-Sayd SH, Ahmed AA, Rajab GZ. Optimal Dose of Dexmedetomidine Retrobulbar Anesthesia during Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery. Anesth Essays Res. 2017 Oct-Dec;11(4):1046-50. doi: 10.4103/aer.AER_116_17.

Zhu Y, Li Z, Chen W, Fan P, Yang S, Liu X, et al. Incidence and Risk Factors of Moderate to Severe Postoperative Pain Following the Placement of Primary and Secondary Orbital Implants: A Prospective Observational Study. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2021 Jan-Feb 01;37(1):27-32. doi: 10.1097/IOP.0000000000001664.

Ang MJ, Silkiss RZ. The Use of Long-Acting Liposomal Bupivacaine (Exparel) for Postoperative Pain Control Following Enucleation or Evisceration. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2018 Nov/Dec;34(6):599. doi: 10.1097/IOP.0000000000001218.

Ye H, Chen R, Lian X, Huang J, Mao Y, Lu R, et al. Risk factors associated with postoperative pain and discomfort in oculoplastic surgery with general anesthesia: a prospective study. J Pain Res. 2018 Feb 21;11:407-15. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S156104.

Rodolico A, Cutrufelli P, Di Francesco A, Aguglia A, Catania G, Concerto C, et al. Efficacy and safety of ketamine and esketamine for unipolar and bipolar depression: an overview of systematic reviews with meta-analysis. Front Psychiatry. 2024 Feb 1;15:1325399. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1325399.

Han D, Du X, Li Y, Wang Y, Wei L, Zhang L, et al. Supplemental low-dose esketamine to propofol versus propofol alone on perioperative characteristics in children undergoing surgery: a prospective randomized controlled trial. Minerva Anestesiol. 2024 Mar;90(3):162-71. doi: 10.23736/S0375-9393.23.17550-X.

Pai V, Parra-Fariñas C, Shaikh F, Mallipatna A, Zaarour C, Muthusami P. An updated review of intra-arterial chemotherapy for retinoblastoma. Radiologia (Engl Ed). 2025 Mar-Apr;67(2):162-75. doi: 10.1016/j.rxeng.2025.02.001.

Published
2026/04/01
Section
Other articles