Subtenon Bupivacaine for Postoperative Pain in Patients Undergoing Pterygium Excision: A Double-Blinded Randomized Control Trial.

PURPOSE: Patients undergoing primary pterygium excision with autologous conjunctival autograft and human tissue adhesive in New Zealand, currently receive subconjunctival anesthesia with oral postoperative analgesia for pain. Our aim was to investigate the potential added benefit of intraoperative subtenon bupivacaine to this regimen.

METHODS

A double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized trial was conducted at 2 centers. All patients received topical and subconjunctival anesthesia intraoperatively, with standardized oral analgesia as required postoperatively. Participants were allocated to receive subtenon bupivacaine 0.5% or placebo at the conclusion of surgery. Corneal epithelial defect and conjunctival graft size were recorded. Pain and ocular surface irritation were assessed (Likert scale) immediately postoperatively at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 hours. Cumulative oral analgesia consumption (doses) was reported at 24 and 36 hours.

RESULTS

Forty-two patients were randomized with participants evenly matched at baseline. Postoperative pain at all time points ≤24 hours was significantly less (2.4 vs. 1.2; P < 0.04) in the bupivacaine arm with no difference at 36 hours (P = 0.27). Ocular surface irritation was also significantly less at all time points ≤12 hours (4.8 vs. 1.3; P < 0.01) with no difference at 24 hours (P = 0.10). Analgesia consumption was less in the bupivacaine arm at 24 (6.5 vs. 2.5; P < 0.01) and 36 hours (7.6 vs. 3.4; P < 0.01). No complications were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Intraoperative subtenon bupivacaine improves patient comfort after pterygium excision by reducing pain, irritation, and requirement for oral analgesia after surgery.