Bilateral ultrasound-guided maxillary and mandibular combined nerves block reduces morphine consumption after double-jaw orthognathic surgery: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundDouble-jaw surgeries are known to be painful and to require opioids. Maxillary (V2) and mandibular (V3) nerves block could provide adequate pain management with minimal opioid-related side effects. Our main objective was to evaluate the analgesic effect of bilateral ultrasound-guided V2 and V3 combined nerves block in patients undergoing double-jaw orthognathic surgery.MethodsIn this single-blind, randomized control study, 50 patients were prospectively allocated to either bilateral ultrasound-guided V2 and V3 combined nerves block or intraoral infiltration of local anesthetic. Primary outcome was the cumulative oral morphine equivalent (OME) consumption assessed at postoperative day 1. Secondary outcomes were cumulative OME consumption and pain scores in recovery room and at postoperative day 2, intraoperative anesthetic consumption, and opioid-related side effects. Preoperative anxiety was investigated by the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS).ResultsCompared with infiltration, ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia reduced cumulative OME consumption on day 1 (45.7±37.6 mg vs 25.5±19.8 mg, respectively, mean difference of −20.1 (95% CI −37.4 to −2.9) mg, p=0.023) and day 2 (64.5±60 mg vs 35.8±30.2 mg, respectively, mean difference of −28.7 (95% CI −55.9 to −1.43) mg, p=0.040). Interestingly, worst pain score and cumulative OME consumptions on day 2 were positively correlated with the APAIS (Pearson’s correlation coefficient of 0.42 (p=0.003) and 0.39 (p=0.006), respectively).ConclusionBilateral ultrasound-guided V2 and V3 combined nerves block reduces postoperative opioid consumption by about 50% in patients undergoing double-jaw surgery.Trial registration numberNCT05351151.