INADVERTANT PENETRATION OF BLOOD VESSELS DURING INFERIOR ALVEOLAR NERVE BLOCK TECHNIQUES

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background The blood aspiration technique before the injection of local anesthetic solution is an essential procedure, because it prevents possible systemic’ complications. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the incidence of intravascular injection in different techniques of inferior alveolar nerve block and to know the technique which has very low incidence of vascular penetration. Methods Fifty patients in the ages of 17-70 years irrespective of sex, who were indicated for bilateral extractions of mandibular teeth were selected for this study. Patients were randomly divided into two divisions consisting of 25 patients requiring bilateral extraction procedures. In first division classical technique of inferior alveolar nerve block was administered on one side and on 2nd appointment Angelo Sargenti technique was administered on the other side. In the second division of 25 patients, indirect technique was administered on one side in 1st appointment and Clark and Holmes technique was administered on the other side in next appointment. Incidence of positive aspiration due to inadvertent penetration of inferior alveolar vessels was recorded. Results In group I positive aspiration rate was 8%, group II it was 4%, group III it was 4% and group IV it was 8%. Chi-square and fisher exact test was used and statistically there was no significant difference in the incidence of positive aspiration in all four groups. We found an overall aspiration rate of 6% in all four groups. Conclusion The incidence of positive aspiration was evaluated in all the 4 groups. There was no statistical significance in the rate of positive aspiration in all the groups included in our study.