Apri Health

To compare the topical effects of tetracaine, lidocaine, and bupivacaine on corneal sensitivity in normal eyes. Corneal touch sensitivity was measured with a Cochet-Bonnet anesthesiometer before and at 2.5-minute intervals after instillation of the anesthetic agent, until baseline levels had been reestablished. Seventeen healthy volunteers were randomized into five groups. Group 1 included 0.5% tetracaine (n = 6); group 2, 4% lidocaine (n = 8); group 3, 0.75% bupivacaine (n = 8); group 4, 0.5% tetracaine + 4% lidocaine (n = 5); and group 5, 0.5% tetracaine + 0.75% bupivacaine (n = 7). The duration of anesthesia showed no differences between groups 1, 3, and 5. Although there was no difference between groups 2 and 4, both groups demonstrated significantly longer effects than groups 1, 3, and 5 (p < 0.005). The application of 4% lidocaine results in a significantly prolonged topical anesthetic effect when compared with tetracaine and bupivacaine.

Bochdalek's hernia is a congenital hernia of the diaphragm, which is manifested in the early years of life. Its diagnosis is difficult and is based on barium studies. We present an adult patient with Bochdalek's hernia who exhibited a gastric volvulus. The patient had a history of intermittent abdominal pains. In this article, we analyze the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, laying special emphasis on the importance of early diagnosis in the prevention of complications.