Brain-stem anesthesia complicating retrobulbar block. 1989

D A Mercereau
Department of Anaesthesia, University of Alberta Hospitals, Edmonton.

A previously well 68-year-old man became confused and cyanotic after retrobulbar block for eye surgery. The symptoms resolved within 10 minutes. The author discusses the differential diagnosis of brain-stem anesthesia and proposes recommendations to reduce the incidence of this potentially fatal complication.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008012 Lidocaine A local anesthetic and cardiac depressant used as an antiarrhythmia agent. Its actions are more intense and its effects more prolonged than those of PROCAINE but its duration of action is shorter than that of BUPIVACAINE or PRILOCAINE. Lignocaine,2-(Diethylamino)-N-(2,6-Dimethylphenyl)Acetamide,2-2EtN-2MePhAcN,Dalcaine,Lidocaine Carbonate,Lidocaine Carbonate (2:1),Lidocaine Hydrocarbonate,Lidocaine Hydrochloride,Lidocaine Monoacetate,Lidocaine Monohydrochloride,Lidocaine Monohydrochloride, Monohydrate,Lidocaine Sulfate (1:1),Octocaine,Xylesthesin,Xylocaine,Xylocitin,Xyloneural
D008297 Male Males
D009020 Morphine The principal alkaloid in opium and the prototype opiate analgesic and narcotic. Morphine has widespread effects in the central nervous system and on smooth muscle. Morphine Sulfate,Duramorph,MS Contin,Morphia,Morphine Chloride,Morphine Sulfate (2:1), Anhydrous,Morphine Sulfate (2:1), Pentahydrate,Oramorph SR,SDZ 202-250,SDZ202-250,Chloride, Morphine,Contin, MS,SDZ 202 250,SDZ 202250,SDZ202 250,SDZ202250,Sulfate, Morphine
D001933 Brain Stem The part of the brain that connects the CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES with the SPINAL CORD. It consists of the MESENCEPHALON; PONS; and MEDULLA OBLONGATA. Brainstem,Truncus Cerebri,Brain Stems,Brainstems,Cerebri, Truncus,Cerebrus, Truncus,Truncus Cerebrus
D002387 Cataract Extraction The removal of a cataractous CRYSTALLINE LENS from the eye. Enzymatic Zonulolysis,Phakectomy,Cataract Extractions,Enzymatic Zonulolyses,Extraction, Cataract,Extractions, Cataract,Phakectomies,Zonulolyses, Enzymatic,Zonulolysis, Enzymatic
D003490 Cyanosis A bluish or purplish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to an increase in the amount of deoxygenated hemoglobin in the blood or a structural defect in the hemoglobin molecule. Cyanoses
D003937 Diagnosis, Differential Determination of which one of two or more diseases or conditions a patient is suffering from by systematically comparing and contrasting results of diagnostic measures. Diagnoses, Differential,Differential Diagnoses,Differential Diagnosis
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D000772 Anesthesia, Local A blocking of nerve conduction to a specific area by an injection of an anesthetic agent. Anesthesia, Infiltration,Local Anesthesia,Neural Therapy of Huneke,Huneke Neural Therapy,Infiltration Anesthesia

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