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The effects of EMLA and a topical formulation of 4%amethocaine (Ametop) on pain associated with retrobulbar injection

  1. J. Browne1,
  2. A. Raza2,
  3. I. Awad2,
  4. B. Tan3,
  5. J. McAdoo4,
  6. G. Shorten5

Article first published online: 6 APR 2002

DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2044.1999.00842.x

Issue

Anaesthesia

Anaesthesia

Volume 54, Issue 6, pages 596–598, June 1999

Additional Information

How to Cite

Browne, J., Raza, A., Awad, I., Tan, B., McAdoo, J. and Shorten, G. (1999), The effects of EMLA and a topical formulation of 4%amethocaine (Ametop) on pain associated with retrobulbar injection. Anaesthesia, 54: 596–598. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2044.1999.00842.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Senior Registrar in Anaesthesia,

  2. 2

    Registrar in Anaesthesia,

  3. 3

    Senior House Officer in Ophthalmology,

  4. 4

    Consultant Anaesthetist,

  5. 5

    Professor of Anaesthesia & Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Cork University Hospital and University College Cork, Wilton, Cork, Ireland

* G. Shorten Professor of Anaesthesia & Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Cork University Hospital and University College Cork, Wilton, Cork, Ireland

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 6 APR 2002
  2. Article first published online: 6 APR 2002

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Keywords:

  • Local anaesthetic, amethocaine, lignocaine, prilocaine.;
  • Ophthalmic, retrobulbar

Retrobulbar block is commonly performed to provide anaesthesia for cataract extraction. This technique can cause significant discomfort. A prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled trial was carried out to investigate the efficacy of a eutectic mixture of local anaesthetics (EMLA) and a 4% amethocaine topical formulation (Ametop) in reducing the pain of retrobulbar injection. Ametop and EMLA proved to be of similar efficacy, both being superior to a placebo in alleviating the discomfort of retrobulbar block. No significant side-effects were observed with the use of either formulation.

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