Effect of Ultrasound Guided Glossopharyngeal Nerve Block Versus Blind Technique on Vital Measurements during Tonsillectomy

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative circulatory stability in children undergoing tonsillectomy is a very important subject. There are two approaches described for this block: intraoral and peri-styloid. AIM: This study aimed to compare ultrasound-guided glossopharyngeal nerve block techniques (peri-styloid) with blind (intraoral) techniques on vital measurements during tonsillectomy.PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were divided into two groups at random using opaque, sealed envelopes with sequential numbers: Ultrasound-guided GNB (group A) underwent an intraoral block using a 1 ml volume of a 0.25% bupivacaine mixture on both sides, while Blind GNB (group B) underwent an intraoral block using the same 1 ml volume. Vital measurements were recorded intraoperativelyRESULTS: In our study, it was found that there were no statistically significant differences between Group A (ultrasound-guided GNB) and Group B (blind GNB) in terms of baseline HR and HR after block. However, there were highly statistically significant differences between the two groups in HR at the onset of surgery, HR after 15, 30, and 45 minutes, and HR during extubation. In terms of SBP, there were highly statistically significant differences between the two groups in SBP at baseline, SBP after block, SBP at the onset of surgery, and SBP after 15 minutes and during extubation. There were also statistically significant differences in SBP after 30 and 45 minutes.