Local and Regional Blocks for Complex Facial Wound Repair

The location, severity, and associated injuries of the head and neck trauma dictate the type and treatment location needed for that particular patient. An in-depth knowledge of local and regional block options is vital to the proper management of facial wounds at the bedside, decreasing need for general anesthesia, anesthesia-related complication, length of hospital stay, and overall hospital costs. This article will discuss local and regional block options for the upper-face, midface, and lower face including dentition; complications of local and regional blocks and how to prevent them; and recent advances in local anesthesia. In addition, conscious sedation as an adjunct to local/regional blocks in children or patients with special needs will be discussed.