A prospective, randomized, double-blind study was conducted to determine whether cooled intravenous propofol reduces the incidence of pain on induction of anaesthesia in children. Seventy patients aged 3-10 years, ASA I or II, were randomized to receive 1% propofol plus 0.05% lidocaine either at room temperature (20-23 degrees C) or cooled to 4C. Pain was assessed by a blinded observer using a behavioural scale. Data from 69 patients were analysed. The incidence of pain was 9/34 (26%, 95% confidence intervals 11-41%) in the room temperature injectate group and 5/35 (14%, 95% confidence intervals 3-26%) in the cold injectate group. These differences were not statistically significant (P=0.21, chi-squared test). Pain scores were similar in both groups.

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Importance Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis frequently have fixed kyphosis of their spine together with pain. This makes achieving acceptable head position for ocular surgery difficult. The proposal of new methods that result in successful intraocular surgery will reduce morbidity and sight loss in this group of patients. Objective To describe a novel technique using a vacuum bean bag positioner which enabled cataract surgery to be performed successfully under local anaesthesia. To allow prospects of technique development to standardise cataract surgery positioning in this cohort. Results A 42 year-old male patient underwent phacoemulsification under Sub-Tenon's local anaesthetic with intra-ocular lens implant in the inverted position with no immediate post-operative complications. Conclusions and Relevance Standard operating theatre equipment combined with a vacuum bean bag positioner, soft supports and securing straps can attain a position that is feasible for awake ocular surgery in patients with gross anatomical changes affecting the neck.