A study of greater palatine foramen and its importance in the application of maxillary nerve block in South Indian Population

Abstract

Introduction: The greater palatine foramen (GPF) is located in the posterior part of the hard palate between the articulations of hard palate with the maxilla. GPF continues posteriorly and upwards as greater palatine canal (GPC) which opens in to the inferior wall of pterygopalatine fossa. Exiting the foramen rotendum, maxillary nerve enters the pterygopalatine fossa where it can be blocked. The intraoral route of GPF approach can be preferred for maxillary nerve block because of its low incidence of complications and high success rate. For achieving a painless intra operative period in procedures involving the maxillary region and for tooth extraction achieving a perfect maxillary nerve block is of at most importance. Our present study is aimed at correctly locating the position of GPF, its shape and patency in south Indian population which will be helpful for the intra oral approach of maxillary nerve block through the GPF Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in 30 dry adult skull bones of both sex. The molar relation, shape and the patency of the GPF were observed, the readings were obtained, statistically analyzed and compared with other studies. Results: In our observation on both side of skull, it was noted that GPF was located opposite to the 3rd molar in 90% of cases. Oval shaped GPF is most commonly found in our study which accounts to 53.35% and the overall patency rate for GPF was 95% in our study. Conclusion: Analysis and comparison of data has proven that the position, shape and patency of GPF may vary according to different races. This study has also confirmed that the maxillary nerve block via GPF is relatively safe and easier due to the consistency of the position, shape and the patency of the GPF in south Indian population. KEY WORDS: Greater palatine foramen, maxillary nerve block, regional blocks, Greater palatine canal, pterygopalatine fossa, Maxillary nerve.