Retrobulbar and peribulbar regional anaesthesia techniques in rabbits: a cadaver study.

Retrobulbar anesthesia is safest; avoid dorsomedial peribulbar in rabbits.

This cadaveric study compared three regional anesthetic techniques for orbital anesthesia in rabbits: retrobulbar (RBA) and two peribulbar approaches (PBA-1 ventrolateral, PBA-2 dorsomedial and ventrolateral). Thirty New Zealand White rabbit cadavers underwent CT imaging to evaluate needle placement and contrast distribution patterns. RBA demonstrated predominantly intra- and extraconal distribution (65%) with minimal intraocular placement (5%), making it the safest technique overall. PBA-1 showed similar extraconal predominance (55%) but higher intraocular complications (10%). PBA-2 had the highest complication rate with 40% intraocular contrast accumulation, particularly from the dorsal needle placement. No technique achieved pure intraconal distribution. The study concludes RBA is most suitable for extraconal anesthesia with lowest complication rates, while PBA-2 is unsuitable due to frequent intraocular injection. Results provide evidence-based guidance for selecting regional anesthetic techniques in rabbit ophthalmic procedures.

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