Three‐Dimensional Infraorbital Foramen Location Relative to Facial Landmarks: Preliminary Results

Abstract

Infraorbital nerve block injections are performed by either an intraoral approach per the oral vestibule or an extraoral approach through the skin near the infraorbital foramen. Many studies have assessed the location of the IOF relative to bony landmarks, teeth, as well as soft tissue landmarks with mixed results. Few studies have assessed the location of the IOF in three dimensions. This study analyzed the location of the IOF relative to a midpoint between the inferolateral nasal aperture and inferolateral orbital rim via three‐dimensional models rendered from 18 adult crania. The distance from the midpoint to the IOF averaged 4.16±1.43 mm (mean±SD) on the left and 3.93±1.43 mm on the right. Wilcoxon matched‐pairs signed rank tests revealed no significant difference among sides (p=0.325). This report also addresses differences among the x, y, and z axes. These preliminary data demonstrate the utility of three‐dimensional analysis for the assessment of IOF location. Understanding the location of the IOF in three dimensions may aid in determining the best patient‐specific approach for infraorbital nerve block.Support or Funding InformationWV Research Challenge Fund [HEPC.dsr.17.06] and [HEPC.dsr.14.13]This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.