Evaluation of airway blocks versus general anaesthesia for diagnostic direct laryngoscopy and biopsy for carcinoma larynx.

A prospective randomised study of 100 patients divided into two groups was done to compare the effects of regional airway nerve blocks versus general anaesthesia to evaluate intra-operative haemodynamic changes and compare the level of postoperative analgesia and sedation in both the groups. In group I whole airway block including bilateral superior laryngeal nerve block with bilateral glossopharyngeal block and recurrent laryngeal nerve block was given and in group II general anaesthesia was given. The mean duration was 27 +/- 5 minutes in all cases, all patients were of ASA grade 3 or 4. Baseline and pre-operative values of pulse and blood pressure were noted and were recorded at 0, 5, 7, 9, 10 and 15 minutes. Postoperative sedation and VAS scores were recorded at 0, 5, 15 and 30 minutes initially and then hourly. The present study showed significant haemodyanamic changes in group II with significant rise in mean arterial pressure and pulse rate during peri-operative period. Whereas in group I there was a stability in mean arterial pressure and pulse rate peri-operatively. The postoperative analgesia was significantly higher in group I and lasted longer as compared to group II and patients were less agitated and calm as assessed by the sedation score, in group II most of the patients required postoperative nebulisation as compared to group I where no patient needed nebulisation. In conclusion we suggest that regional airway block for anaesthesia in the short procedures of upper airways and also in cases of predicting difficult airway cases for securing the safe airway can be very useful alternate to general anaesthesia.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes