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

Postsurgical pain and discomfort from septorhinoplasty have been shown to exert a detrimental effect on patients, including their functional recovery, satisfaction levels, and overall quality of life. Although the sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPGB) has been shown to provide effective pain control for rhinoplasty, different application techniques are available. The application of local anesthesia into the sphenopalatine fossa in the form of a drip is a simple technique that is easier and faster to apply than other techniques.

Our study investigated the effect of a sphenopalatine ganglion block applied presurgically as a noninvasive pain management method for septorhinoplasty.

A retrospective nonrandomized trial.

Our retrospective study included 100 patients who had a septorhinoplasty who also met specific inclusion criteria.

The data of patients who had septorhinoplasty were examined. One group of patients had a presurgical SPGB administered via transnasal catheter- an18G intravenous branula-with 2 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine as well as submucosal anesthesia infiltration. The other group only had submucosal anesthesia infiltration. The intrasurgical consumption of remifentanil, hemodynamic parameters, postsurgical pain levels, additional analgesic use, and patient and surgeon satisfaction were compared.

The consumption of remifentanil was found to be lower in the SPGB Group. There was a lower requirement for analgesia and a higher level of patient satisfaction in the SPGB Group. Pain scores in the first 2 postsurgical hours were lower in the SPGB Group, but no differences were observed in later hours.

The limitations of this study include the relatively small sample size and the lack of long-term follow-up to evaluate the long-term benefits of an SPGB and its effect on chronic pain developing.

Our study shows the safety and efficacy of a presurgical SPGB administered via transnasal dripping without needle injections in septorhinoplasty surgery. The block had positive results in terms of intrasurgical opioid consumption reduction and beneficial effects on postsurgical pain. It can thus be considered a beneficial adjunct in clinical practice for patients undergoing septorhinoplasty.