Locoregional anesthesia for external ear surgery and postoperative analgesia

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a change in the classical technique for local-regional anesthesia (periauricular "V" infiltration) for surgery on the outer ear, specifically adding a new infiltration of the osteocartilaginous juncture of the external acoustic meatus and the auditory foramen, as an alternative to general anesthesia in adults, including assessment of postoperative analgesia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The new technique was used in 45 operations on 23 patients. We analyzed pain during and after surgery on a simple verbal scale. RESULTS: After modifying the technique it was possible to perform surgery on the outer ear without causing pain, patients reporting "0" pain on a scale of 0 to 10. Eight patients reported "0" for postoperative pain, while one assessed pain as "4" and one as "2". No signs of emesis or cardiac events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The described local-regional blockade of the outer ear used as the only anesthetic method, is indicated for both cosmetic surgery and repair of outer ear injuries, given its excellent analgesia during and after surgery. The characteristics of this type of block of the pavilion make it ideal for major outpatient surgery and a valid alternative to general anesthesia in adults.