ROLE OF SUPERFICIAL CERVICAL PLEXUS NERVE BLOCK AS AN ADJUVANT TO LOCAL ANAESTHESIA IN THE MAXILLOFACIAL SURGICAL PRACTICE.

ABSTRACT PURPOSE- Infiltration techniques are used as an adjuvant to regional anesthesia. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of the superficial cervical plexus nerve block; as an alternative to local infiltration techniques; in the management of mandibular fractures and peri-mandibular space infections. METHODS- A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted on 24 patients having either mandibular fractures or peri-mandibular space infections; and were scheduled for surgery under regional anesthesia (e.g. inferior alveolar nerve block, long buccal nerve block). The control group involved delivering a combination of regional anesthesia along with local infiltration. The experimental group received regional anesthesia with a superficial cervical plexus nerve block. The following parameters were studied: pain, onset and duration of anesthesia, time interval until first analgesic request, pulse rate and blood pressure [at different time intervals]. RESULTS- Intergroup comparison was done using unpaired t-test. Intragroup comparison was done using repeated measures ANOVA (for >2 observations); followed by a post hoc test. The superficial cervical plexus nerve block group showed highly statistically significant (p CONCLUSION- It can be concluded that the combination of a regional anesthesia technique with a superficial cervical plexus nerve block is an alternative and safe technique for patients undergoing surgery for mandible fractures and peri-mandibular space infections; with clear advantages over local infiltration.