Comparison of Ultrasound-Guided Superior Laryngeal Nerve Block with the Traditional Method for Direct Laryngoscopic Biopsy of Supraglottic Masses: A Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND: A bilateral superior laryngeal nerve block (SLNB) can provide complete anesthesia for laryngeal sampling and by providing this block we can manage the biopsy of supraglottic masses without the complications of general anesthesia. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare 2 superior laryngeal nerve block (SLNB) methods using ultrasound and the traditional method for direct laryngoscopic surgery for the biopsy of supraglottic masses. METHODS: In this single-blind clinical trial, 50 patients undergoing supraglottic laryngeal mass biopsy under direct laryngoscopy were divided into 2 groups. The first group was anatomical landmark bilateral SLNB (C group), and the second group was sono-guided bilateral SLNB (U group). Hemodynamic changes, pain, oxygen desaturation, surgeon satisfaction, and the complication obtained and noted. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the success rate of the procedure (P = 0.99), as well as the surgeon’s satisfaction with the procedure (P = 0.337). Mean arterial pressure (MAP), oxygen saturation, and their changes in the studied groups were compared before the block, after the block, after the biopsy, and in the recovery room, showing no significant difference between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). Only the heart rate (HR) after the biopsy and in the recovery room showed significant differences between the 2 groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in the level of patient and surgeon satisfaction and pain during and after the procedure (P > 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: SLNB for direct laryngoscopic surgery for biopsy of supraglottic masses using ultrasound was not significantly superior to the traditional method, and there was no significant difference between the 2 methods in terms of procedure success, surgeon’s satisfaction, and patients’ pain.