RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Investigation of the toxic effects of ropivacaine corneal endothelium by the impression cytological method JF Saudi Medical Journal JO Saudi Med J FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City SP 1018 OP 1020 VO 28 IS 7 A1 Soker, Sevda A1 Cakmak, Sevin A1 Olmez, Gonul A1 Buyukbayram, Huseyin A1 Nergiz, Yusuf YR 2007 UL http://smj.org.sa/content/28/7/1018.abstract AB OBJECTIVE: To investigate the toxic effects of ropivacaine on corneal endothelium by using the impression cytological method.METHODS: The study was performed between October and December 2004 in Dicle University Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkey. Twenty-four eyes from 12 rats were used for the research. They were divided into 4 groups, each containing 3 different ropivacaine concentrations and a control. Immediately after enucleation, the corneas were excised and the endothelium was exposed to unpreserved ropivacaine 0.01, 0.1, or 1% and balanced salt solutions (BSS) as a control (6 corneas/group) for 20 minutes. The specimens were obtained by impression cytology method and stained with periodic acid shift. Then, they were examined under light microscope.RESULTS: Blurring at cell membrane borders, vacuolization at cell cytoplasm, hydropic degeneration and increase in toxic granulation were observed in the 1% ropivacaine group. Cytoplasmic hydropic degeneration was determined in the 0.1% ropivacaine group. Cell structures were normal and almost identical to the control group in the 0.01% ropivacaine group.CONCLUSION: In this study, 2 major conclusions were determined. The impression cytology method can be used in examination of corneal endothelium, and exposure of rat corneal endothelium to 0.01% ropivacaine solutions in vitro appears to be non-toxic.