Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block's Effect on Pain Control in Septorhinoplasty Surgeries

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Plastic Surgery
• Pain Management

Background:

• Postsurgical pain significantly impacts septorhinoplasty recovery and patient satisfaction.
• Sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPGB) is effective for rhinoplasty pain, with various application techniques.
• Transnasal dripping of local anesthesia into the sphenopalatine fossa offers a simpler, faster SPGB method.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of a presurgical sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPGB) as a noninvasive pain management strategy for septorhinoplasty.
• To evaluate the impact of SPGB on intrasurgical opioid consumption, pain levels, and patient satisfaction.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective, nonrandomized trial involving 100 septorhinoplasty patients.
• One group received presurgical SPGB via transnasal catheter with bupivacaine plus submucosal anesthesia.
• Control group received only submucosal anesthesia infiltration.

Main Results:

• The SPGB group demonstrated lower intrasurgical remifentanil consumption.
• Patients receiving SPGB required less analgesia and reported higher satisfaction.
• Lower postsurgical pain scores were observed in the SPGB group within the first two hours.

Conclusions:

• Presurgical SPGB via transnasal dripping is safe and effective for septorhinoplasty.
• SPGB reduces intraoperative opioid use and improves postsurgical pain management.
• This technique is a valuable adjunct for managing pain in septorhinoplasty patients.