Efficacy of ultrasound guided sphenopalatine ganglion block in management of emergence agitation after sinoscopic nasal surgery: a randomized double-blind controlled study

Abstract

Background

Nasal surgery has a reported high incidence of agitation during emergence from general anesthesia. Emergence Agitation (EA) increases the risk of surgical site bleeding, falling off the operating table, removal of catheters and intravenous lines, and self-extubation. This study investigated the role of nerve block in EA.

Objectives

This study evaluated the effect of ultrasound-guided sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPGB) on EA after sinoscopic nasal surgery. The primary outcome was the incidence of EA. Secondary outcomes included the quality of the surgical field, bleeding volume, inhalational anesthesia, MAC, VAS in the PACU, postoperative analgesia duration, and total 24 -h opioid consumption.

Patients and methods

This double-blind, randomized controlled study enrolled 120 patients, of whom 110 completed the study. They were randomly allocated into two equal groups: G1, which received general anesthesia and a bilateral sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPBG) with 5 mL lidocaine 2% on each side, and G2 (control), which received general anesthesia and a bilateral sphenopalatine saline injection of 5 mL on each side.

Results

A significant decrease in the incidence of EA was found in G1 compared to G2 (20% vs. 64%). Intraoperative bleeding volume was significantly lower, and surgical field quality was significantly higher in G1 compared to G2. Pain severity was significantly lower in G1 in the PACU, and 24 h postoperative opioid consumption was significantly reduced compared to G2. Additionally, postoperative analgesia duration was significantly longer in G1 than in G2 (9 h vs. 3 h).

Conclusion

SPGB effectively reduced EA incidence, severity, and duration after sinoscopic nasal surgery. Furthermore, SPGB reduced intraoperative bleeding, improved surgical field quality, prolonged postoperative analgesia, and reduced 24 -h opioid consumption after sinoscopic nasal surgery.

Registration

National Clinical Trial Registry, NCT04168879.