Local analgesia prevents the cortisol and glycaemic responses to cataract surgery

Abstract

Summary: We studied the metabolic and hormonal responses to cataract surgery in 18 elderly patients, allocated randomly to receive either general anaesthesia or local analgesia by means of a retrobulbar block. Local analgesia prevented the increases in circulating cortisol and glucose concentrations found in those patients who received general anaesthesia. The results show that complete afferent sensory block of the operative site inhibited endocrine and metabolic responses to ophthalmic surgery. © 1990 British Journal of Anaesthesia.