BMC Oral Health (Sep 2024)

Analgesic effect of ultrasound-guided extraoral mandibular nerve block compared to intraoral conductive block of the inferior alveolar nerve after lower third molar alveolectomy: a clinical prospective study

  • Marija Martinus,
  • Slobodan Mihaljevic,
  • Kresimir Reiner,
  • Zeljko Verzak,
  • Monika Kocman Panic,
  • Aleksandra Strahija,
  • Vicko Gluncic,
  • Ivan Kresimir Lukic,
  • Anita Lukic

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-024-04787-5
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 24, no. 1
pp. 1 – 11

Abstract

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Abstract Background The analgesia after lower third molar alveolectomy is based on the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that have significant risks, and are contraindicated in the third trimester of pregnancy. Aiming to reduce NSAIDs use after this surgery, we quantified analgesic effects of ultrasound (US)-guided extraoral mandibular nerve block. Methods Thirty-six patients were equally allocated to the experimental or control group, based on their willingness to receive experimental US-guided extraoral mandibular nerve block for postoperative analgesia. The experimental block applied prior to lower third molar alveolectomy, was followed by standard intraoral inferior alveolar nerve block. In the control group, patients received only intraoral block of inferior alveolar nerve. All patients reported pain level (visual analogue scale, VAS) right after the application of blocks. The next day, patients reported duration of pain-free time and the use of analgesic. Results The US-guided extraoral mandibular nerve block prolonged the pain-free time to 8 h (vs. 4 in control group, P < 0.001) and reduced NSAIDs use (12 patients needed analgesic in experimental vs. 17 patients in control group, P = 0.038). The application of experimental block was less painful (VAS = 2) than the application of intraoral inferior alveolar nerve block (VAS = 4, P = 0.011). In 8/18 patients in the experimental group US-guided extraoral mandibular nerve block solely achieved adequate surgical anesthesia. Conclusion US-guided extraoral mandibular nerve block prolonged pain-free period and reduced the use of NSAIDs after lower third molar alveolectomy, thus proving to be successful analgesia method for this dental surgery. Clinical trial registration https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT06009302 , identification number: NCT06009302, date of registration: 18/08/2023.

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