The Application and Usage of Anesthetics in the Surgical Treatment of Orbital Cellulitis

Abstract

Orbital cellulitis is a condition that can require surgery if severe symptoms progress to an undesirable state. Therefore, it is important for physicians to utilize anesthetics during these procedures to cause minimal harm to the patient. This review will analyze the consequences that the current application of anesthetics has on patients when being utilized in surgeries to eliminate orbital cellulitis. The authors find that when performing surgical intervention to terminate orbital cellulitis, physicians will favor bupivacaine, hyaluronidase, and lignocaine as anesthetics. Hyaluronidase is used to enhance the effects of the other two anesthetics, but can cause mild allergic reactions in certain patients. Additionally, this review seeks to analyze the current treatment of orbital cellulitis when surgical intervention is unnecessary. In mild cases of orbital cellulitis, the use of broad-range IV antibiotics in conjunction with oral antibiotics are sufficient remedies. The authors find that although surgical treatment of orbital cellulitis has improved over the years, there are still many changes that could be made to improve patient outcomes.