Visual hallucinations and racing thoughts on eye closure after minor surgery.

Two hours after minor surgery under local anesthesia, a 67-year-old man developed vivid visual hallucinations that were present only when he closed his eyes. After lasting 4 hours, the hallucinations were succeeded by racing thoughts, lasting 2 hours, and then by illusionary movements of his body. The reaction was attributed to the effect of lidocaine. The case resembles one previously reported.