The Blitz Anesthesia Technique in Non-English Speaking Patients Undergoing Glaucoma Surgery

AIM: To describe a less invasive method of providing anesthesia in non-English speaking patients undergoing glaucoma surgery. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Prospective observational study conducted in a tertiary Care Eye Institute, Wills Eye Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The blitz anesthesia technique was applied to 15 non-English speaking patients (Vietnamese, Mandarin, Russian and Korean) during glaucoma surgery. With input from family members, a diagram was created for each patient. The diagram consisted of a translation and phonetic guide to pronunciation of common words or phrases in the patient’s native language that might be used by the surgical team during the operation. RESULTS: The blitz anesthesia technique worked well to provide patient comfort during the procedures. All patients reported adequate pain control and described their experience as comfortable. Additionally, patients reported feeling reassured that they were able to understand basic information from the surgical team during their case. This technique decreased patient anxiety prior to and during the surgical procedure. CONCLUSION: Blitz anesthesia provided adequate pain control with no complications. KEY MESSAGE: Blitz anesthesia with a phonetic language diagram, a less invasive technique of providing anesthesia in non-English speaking patients undergoing glaucoma surgery. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Almodin J, Ichhpujani P, Prasad A, Fudemberg SJ, Moster MR. The Blitz Anesthesia Technique in Non-English Speaking Patients Undergoing Glaucoma Surgery. J Current Glau Prac 2012;6(2):91-93.