The efficacy of sphenopalatine ganglion block for pain management after endoscopic sinus surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies

Abstract

The efficacy of sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) block for pain control after endoscopic sinus surgery remains controversial. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the influence of SPG block on pain intensity after endoscopic sinus surgery. We search PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases through June 2019 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of SPG block for pain management after endoscopic sinus surgery. This meta-analysis is performed using the random-effect model. Six RCTs are included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control group for endoscopic sinus surgery, SPG block is associated with the decrease in pain scores at 6h (Std. MD = - 0.71; 95% CI = - 1.08 to - 0.34; P = 0.0002) and 24h (Std. MD = - 0.51; 95% CI = - 0.87 to - 0.14; P = 0.006), the number of rescue analgesics (RR = 0.26; 95% CI = 0.16 to 0.42; P < 0.00001) and incidence of nausea and vomiting (RR = 0.52; 95% CI = 0.30-0.89; P = 0.02), but demonstrate no obvious impact on pain scores at 2h (Std. MD = - 0.99; 95% CI = - 2.80-0.83; P = 0.29) or headache (RR = 1.30; 95% CI = 0.38-4.46; P = 0.67). SPG block can provide additional benefits for pain management after endoscopic sinus surgery.