Intravenous cannula used for continuous intraoral mandibular nerve block in trigeminal neuralgia

Abstract

Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain condition affecting one or more distributions of the trigeminal nerve. Patients with this condition experience short, sharp, shooting pain attacks, which can progress to longer, more frequent durations. The pain is often difficult to control. We report of a man who was admitted with severe neuralgia of the third division of the trigeminal nerve. Talking and any oral intake triggered a severe agonising pain. The latter made the regular oral intake of analgesia challenging. The pain was temporarily controlled with frequent local anaesthesia (LA). Dental core trainees were performing regular inferior alveolar nerve blocks which significantly improved patients’ condition allowing him to communicate and have oral intake. Subsequently, a catheter was placed allowing for a continuous anaesthesia. The connecting tube of the cannula was then used by nursing staff to administer LA providing pain relief without the need of repeated intraoral injections.

Referral to Pain Specialists for Treatment of Intractable Mandibular Pain Caused by Osteonecrosis of the Jaw: A Case Series Report

“…Sawhney et al [ 9 ] reported that an intermittent mandibular nerve block via the lateral extraoral approach was effective for pain relief after surgery for a mandibular parasymphyseal fracture. A continuous mandibular nerve block is effective for the relief of pain caused by MRONJ [ 8 ], mandibular fracture [ 10 ], and trigeminal neuralgia [ 11 ]. Dziadzko et al [ 12 ] reported that a continuous bilateral nerve block was effective for painful trismus in patients with tetraplegia.…”

Randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of the "Water on Tray" anesthesia technique compared to the Halsted tecnique

“…However, Aquilanti et al highlighted the rare but potential nerverelated adverse effects of inferior alveolar nerve block anesthesia, emphasizing the need for a balanced discussion with patients (16). Stringer et al reported a case where continuous intraoral mandibular nerve block provided effective pain relief in a patient with trigeminal neuralgia(17).…”