Orbital Blocks Workshop via OAS on Sunday, February 11, 2024. Please register at https://www.eyeanesthesia.org/OASConf
Home / Orbital Blocks Blog / Gaining Confidence in Performing Orbital Blocks!

Gaining Confidence in Performing Orbital Blocks!

We understand there are a variety of ways to actually perform orbital regional anesthesia. Therefore, it is extremely important as a clinician, that you have a very good understanding of the complex orbital anatomy. 

In conjunction with Bio-digital’s 3-D platform, we have developed a guided virtual tour of the orbital anatomy, which includes both a lecture based review of the orbital anatomy and also allows you to further your understanding through individual use of the 3-D model.

Once you have obtained an in-depth understanding of the orbital anatomy, you will be able to mentally picture your needle-tips pathway from the insertion site to the needle-tips end point.

This knowledge will allow you, the practitioner, to discern between the multiple approaches to orbital regional anesthesia and utilize techniques that you find the safest for your patients.

For example, the standard retrobulbar injection by Atkinson directs the needle tip towards the orbital apex from its inferotemporal insertion site. Anatomically the needle tip is in line with the macula, the optic nerve and larger orbital vessels with needles 1 ¼” to 1 ½”.

Our understanding of the orbital anatomy has already led to the abandonment of Atkinson’s “Look-up and In” position of the globe.

We will explore both intraconal and extraconal orbital block techniques that avoid these vital orbital structures and provide satisfactory anesthesia for ophthalmic surgical procedures.

By tracking both the intraconal and extraconal motor and sensory cranial nerve roots of the orbit, it will help us to understand where we can achieve the most effective local anesthetic distribution in the orbit.

Start Now and take advantage of the in depth information and guided virtual experience provided so that you can make the best and safest decisions in your practice.