ABSTRACT
Aim: This study was designed to compare between the effect of adding atracurium (5 mg) to anesthetic
mixture on akinesia of eyelid and globe regarding onset and duration in cataract surgery using sub-Tenon’s
technique. The study included 60 adult patients of either sex scheduled for elective cataract surgery .
Patients& methods: This is a single randomized controlled study, where patients were randomly allocated
into two equal groups, 30 patients in each group; according to the medications they received: with a total
volume of 5 ml;group I (control group) received 2 ml of 2% plain lidocaine +2 ml 0.5% plain bupivacaine+
1 ml saline 0.9% and group II (study group) received 2 ml of 2% plain lidocaine + 2 ml of 0.5% plain
bupivacaine +0.5 ml atracurium (5mg) + 0.5 ml saline 0.9%. The onset and duration of lid and globe akinesia
were assessed every 1 minute until maximum blockade and then every 15 minutes after surgery until complete
recovery of the block.
Results:Onset of anaethesia was much faster in group II (study group) compared to group I (control group),
also the duration of action was significantly longer in group II than group I These results are statistically
highly significant that adding atracurium in group II hastens the onset and prolonged the duration of lid and
globe akinesia.
Conclusion: The addition of low dose atracurium 0.5 mg to local anaesthetic solution shortens the onset time and prolongs the duration of akinesia without known complications.