Needle freezing and relaxation techinques to aid in eyelid, tear duct and orbital surgery.

What is it about?

Needle freezing (local anesthetic) allows most eyelid procedures, temporal artery biopsies, and some tear duct and orbital surgeries to be performed awake. We discuss techniques to aid in the administration and safety of local anesthetic. We also review the available relaxation techniques to help with awake surgery.

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Why is it important?

Awake surgery usually causes fewer potential heart and lung problems than general anesthesia (where the patient is put to sleep with insertion of an airway device). If the patient is calm and cooperative a better surgical result can often be achieved with awake procedures.