Acute effects of ropivacaine hydrochloride on corneal endothelial cell ultrastructure of horses: Ex vivo study

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the acute effects of ropivacaine hydrochloride on the corneal endothelium of horses. Forty-eight eyes were obtained from a commercial slaughterhouse and were randomly divided into three groups. In group A, the corneal endothelium was exposed to 0.75% ropivacaine hydrochloride for 60 seconds. In group B, the corneal endothelium was exposed to 0.75% ropivacaine hydrochloride for 15 minutes. In group C, the corneal endothelium was exposed to a balanced saline solution for 60 seconds. Afterwards, all samples were prepared for evaluation with scanning electron microscopy. Random electromicrographs were obtained from each sample. The images were analysed and, with the aid of software, areas with no endothelial cells were measured. The average endothelial loss, expressed as a percentage in relation to the total area, of the samples in group A was 5.28%. The average endothelial loss of samples from group B, expressed as a percentage in relation to the total area, was 20.39%. The damage to the corneal endothelium was significantly greater in group B compared to groups A and C. It was possible to conclude that 0.75% ropivacaine hydrochloride induced acute damage to corneal endothelium cells.