Respiratory arrest after retrobulbar block

Abstract

We describe a patient who suffered respiratory arrest some minutes after retrobulbar block before cataract extraction. She was managed by artificial respiration for 20 min, and after she had recovered from this potentially fatal complication cataract extraction was performed without complications and without any neurological sequelae. Retrobulbar blocks, as well as other retrobulbar injections, should be performed only in safe situations. Individuals trained in airway maintenance and ventilatory support should be immediately available, and the patient must be monitored for at least 10 min after the retrobulbar injection.