The effect of mandibular nerve block on opioid consumption, nausea and vomiting in bilateral mandibular osteotomies.

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of a mandibular nerve block to placebo, in patients undergoing mandibular osteotomy surgery, regarding opioid consumption and adverse opioid induced side effects. Forty healthy individuals with a mean age of 19.7 years participated in the study. All subjects received lidocaïn 2% + adrenaline 1/80,000 versus placebo for mandibular nerve block in a randomized double-blind manner. Opioid consumption and opioid related side effect such as postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and respiratory depression were assessed.

RESULTS

The placebo group received significantly more sufentanil during the surgical procedure than the lidocaïngroup. There were no significant differences in adverse opioid induced side effects. In the postoperative phase there was no difference in additional pain intervention between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The mandibular block during mandibular osteotomy reduces intra-operative opioid consumption but does not alternate the opioid related side-effects in the postoperative phase.