Maxillary nerve block in management of maxillary bone fractures: Our experience

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to evaluate the intraoral high tuberocity maxillary nerve block technique in zygoma and arch fracture reduction and fixation. STUDY AND DESIGN: This study was carried out at Arvind Multi-Specialty Hospital, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu on seven male patients with zygomatic bone and arch fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Intraoral high tuberocity maxillary nerve block administered in seven patients for management of isolated zygomatic bone and arch fracture. Lidocaine 2% measuring 4 mL with 1:80000 adrenaline anesthetic solutions was used to anesthetize maxillary nerve through a 3.2 cm length and 24G, needle. The following parameters were evaluated namely onset of anesthesia, nerve block duration, outcome of treatment and Patient's comfort. RESULTS: The blocks were effective and patients were comfortable without pain during initial stage of surgery, but in latter stages two patients had mild to moderate pain. Duration of block varied from 60 to 90 min while onset varied from 3 to 10 min. There were vascular punctures in three patients, however, without hematoma. CONCLUSIONS: The maxillary nerve block is a good alternative option in selective cases of zygomatic bone fracture reduction.